Tia-Clair Toomey Instagram – Friday, 1:49pm: The top heat of women compete in a solemn Dickies Arena, the music nearly muted as a sign of respect. @TiaClair1’s 🇦🇺 stoic reaction to her Event 2 win emphasizes the point: This is not a party. It’s a memorial.
Asked why she chose to continue competing in the wake of yesterday’s tragedy, Tia tells @MikegArsenault: “I thought about what I would want if I was in that situation. And I would want people to compete.” When the crowd rumbles its approval, Tia gazes up at them, gratitude and despair etched on her face. To the athletes competing today, the support of the crowd means everything. For Rookie @GracieWaltonn_ 🇦🇺, it feels like permission to go hard, to enjoy the sport she loves so much.
“I hope that everyone out there knows that we really appreciate the cheering,“ Tia says. “That’s what we really need. CrossFit is built on community.”
✍🏽: @christinedca
📷: @emomphoto | Posted on 10/Aug/2024 02:56:01
