In a world where everything from dating to shopping to conducting business can be performed
online, competitive sport has remained an activity in which its online component is mostly relegated to news,
chat or fan forums, or fantasy-league interactions. The physicality of competitive sports does not lend itself
to an online format—until now. CrossFit (CF) is one of the fastest growing new fitness programs in the
world, and is based largely on online communities and networks. In 2011, CrossFit Incorporated (CF Inc.),
the creator of this worldwide fitness network, conducted the world’s largest online CF sporting competition,
where individuals recorded their performances online for public consumption, interaction and judging. Over
25,000 individuals and teams from around the world participated in 2011 which relies heavily on
participation and feedback, trust, social media and networking for its success.
By uncovering the essential components of the unique operating community of CF through analysis
of quantitative data, in-depth qualitative interviews, and textual analysis, this paper suggests a model for
producing a successful global sporting event online and discusses whether it may be applied to other athletic
organizations to increase their worldwide exposure and increase members access to global opportunities.
Findings determined a mix of criteria including attracting and retaining like-minded individuals through a
strong focus on cohesion, inclusion, and competition; strong local autonomy and control; and a willingness
on the part of members to promote the sport for the perceived wellbeing of others as necessary to a strong,
effective online component in facilitating global competition online.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:BRC.10170/509 |
| Date | 29 June 2012 |
| Creators | VanHouten, Ashleigh |
| Contributors | Real, Michael, Walinga, Jennifer, Thomas, Sarah, Guilar, Joshua |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Detected Language | English |
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