Gabi Migala withdraws from CrossFit Games

Gabi Migala’s withdrawal from the 2026 CrossFit Games reshapes the women’s field less than two weeks before competition begins. The Barbell Spin reported on July 8 that Migala had formally withdrawn and said she was prioritizing recovery after a comeback season built around returning from a major Achilles injury. CrossFit’s official Games site lists the 2026 finals as starting July 22 for individual athletes, with competition running through July 26 in San Jose, California. Migala had been part of the official 30-woman roster published June 30 after the online semifinal leaderboard was finalized. Her exit opens a late backfill spot in a field that was already set for the 2026 finals, according to The Barbell Spin’s roster report and CrossFit’s event overview. ### Why was Migala’s return so closely watched? (thebarbellspin.com) Gabi Migala finished second at the 2024 CrossFit Games, her best career result, before tearing her Achilles tendon at the 2024 Rogue Invitational, The Barbell Spin reported in January. The same report said she suffered another setback in February 2025 when she tore the same Achilles again during rehab. (thebarbellspin.com) January 6 marked the public framing of her 2026 comeback, when The Barbell Spin reported that Migala had joined Training Think Tank and was working with coach Adam Rogers. That report described her 2026 season as an attempt to work back to elite competition after two Achilles setbacks. ### Who gets the backfill spot? Aline Wirz received the backfill invitation after Migala withdrew, The Barbell Spin reported on July 8. (thebarbellspin.com) CrossFit’s athlete page for Wirz shows she finished 10th in the 2026 individual semifinals, was eighth among women in Europe in the Open, and was the second-ranked woman in Switzerland. CrossFit’s official overview for the finals says 30 men and 30 women advance to the Games after the Open, Quarterfinals and Semifinals. (thebarbellspin.com) Migala’s withdrawal therefore required a replacement to restore the listed individual field size before competition begins in San Jose. ### What else changed around the Games this week? The CrossFit Total is also returning to the 2026 CrossFit Games, The Barbell Spin reported in a separate item published July 8. (thebarbellspin.com) The outlet described it as the classic benchmark made up of a one-repetition back squat, shoulder press and deadlift. June 9 had already brought another programming marker, when The Barbell Spin reported that the 2026 Games would feature 20 scored events across four days. (games.crossfit.com) That report said the total would be the highest number of scored events in Games history. ### How close are the Games now? July 22 is the start date for individual competition, according to CrossFit’s official finals overview. (thebarbellspin.com) The same page says spectators can attend the SAP Center portion of the event from July 24 to July 26, while the CrossFit Block Party begins July 23. San Jose, California, is hosting the 2026 finals, and CrossFit says the competition schedule will be available in the CrossFit Games app and on Games.CrossFit.com. (thebarbellspin.com) The women’s roster published June 30 included Migala; the late backfill means Wirz is now the named replacement as organizers finalize the field before the opening events on July 22. (games.crossfit.com)