The International Functional Fitness Federation Makes Safety and Transparency Top Priorities | BarBend

Learn how the iF3 is stepping up its standards following the 2024 CrossFit Games.

Last updated on September 24th, 2024

Gretchen Kittelberger isn’t just a former CrossFit Games athlete — she’s also the president of the International Functional Fitness Federation (iF3). 

Kittelberger worked as an attorney for CrossFit HQ from 2012 to 2016 before utilizing her experience and expertise to start the iF3. The organization currently has seven committees in place, including a programming committee, which allows a team to set and review the tests for every event. 

There is also an athletes’ committee, similar to the PFAA, which represents athletes and gives them a collective voice. The latest addition to the list is a safety committee. 

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Moving Forward

Shortly after the conclusion of the 2024 CrossFit Games, Kittelberger made a video (above) on Instagram, commenting on how the iF3 is taking action after the tragic death of Lazar Ðukić during the competition. 

• “From its inception, the goal of the iF3 has been to bring recognized and legitimate governance to functional fitness as a competitive sport,” she said in the video. “In order to provide a fair, safe, and level playing field to the athletes. And to do so in a transparent manner.”

She explained that the iF3 is not associated with CrossFit but acknowledges that most iF3 athletes participate in the CrossFit Games season as well. 

• “Thus, the tragedy in Fort Worth…has made us realize that we can take further steps to serve our athlete community so they can be assured of their safety while competing,” Kittelberger said.

The iF3 has already begun forming a working group consisting of member representatives, athlete representatives, and medical professionals. The purpose of the committee is to review the existing standards and edit or add new ones if necessary.  

What’s Next

Once the group completes their work, the next step will be to create a sanctioning process for events. The revised safety standards, along with a list of iF3-sanctioned events that meet those standards, will be available on the iF3 website as a resource for athletes. 

• “We think this is a really important step to improve event safety and to add a resource for our athletes,” Kittelberger said.  

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She recognizes that this process will take time but feels that it is vital to the sport’s growth, so work is beginning immediately. 

• “And finally, we want to extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Lazar’s family and friends…We can do our part to honor his memory and honor the commitment we’ve made to this community by working to provide a fair, safe, and transparent sport,” Kittelberger concluded. 

The Bottom Line

The iF3 continues to take steps to legitimize the sport of functional fitness on a global level. 

This year, the iF3 World Championships will take place December 13-15 in Budapest, Hungary. With all age groups competing under one roof (which happens roughly every four years), this event is deemed “Super Worlds.” 

If you are interested in supporting or contributing to the iF3 in any way, you can connect with them through their website or Instagram page. 

Featured image: @lifeofmalm / Instagram