When the changes to the CrossFit Games qualification process via the Open were announced, many joked about moving to a country without a top CrossFit athlete in order to qualify to the Games. As part of the rules, however, an athlete had to have citizenship to compete for a country.
While it does not appear many athletes “moved” to another country, Alessandra Pichelli is competing for a country you might not have expected. In 2017, Pichelli competed for Team Canada in the CrossFit Invitational as that is where she was born.
However, Pichelli’s CrossFit Games profile lists her as competing for Italy. Pichelli explains, “Both my parents are Italian immigrants and my Mom was born in Italy. I was born and grew up in Canada before moving to the US for college and have stayed there with my German husband. I am a US resident, but have both Italian and Canadian passports.”
Pichelli continues, “The new CrossFit rulebook changed to a qualification system based on citizenship and not residence and I’ve chosen to compete for Italy. I’m looking forward to represent my Italian roots- it doesn’t mean I’m any less Canadian or less proud to represent Italy.”
No athlete has ever qualified to the CrossFit Games from Italy. While many would expect Pichelli to easily qualify for the Games from Italy, that may not be the case. After 19.1, Pichelli sits in 3rd place behind Manila Pennacchio and Marta Ricottini. Both finished four reps better than the six-time CrossFit Games veteran.
Pennacchio finished 7th at last year’s Meridian Regional.
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Stay tuned to The Barbell Spin as we continue to monitor this story.
