Yes, we can win medals at Worlds and Olympics

[COACHMCCAULEY]

Originally Posted by jlesko

Well said Don. Could not agree more.
Additionally (in response to previous discussion), I dont think that many people have a problem with Crossfit. If you ask people around me, they will say that I hate Crossfit when actually on paper, I think Crossfit is a good system. It is the practitioners that I and I would think many others have problems with. I believe a little more emphasis on technique would do a lot for reputation. It is actually quite refreshing and exciting that many Crossfits are offering Olifting classes. As more Crossfits do this and start requiring Olifting classes in some capacity, we will really start seeing some talent.
I would actually be interested in the numbers that compare USAW membership growth over the past 10 years year to year.

jlesko:

It's true that some of the CrossFitters are a bit overboard in their enthusiasm about their newfound skills. And, it is true that some of the olympic weightlifting establishment are a bit to hard on the "NEW KID ON THE BLOCK". Frankly, over the years(long before CrossFit)I've said that some olympic coaches were way to elitist and hurt the sport with their refusal to accept other athletes into their gyms for training unless they would ONLY do olympic weightlifting. So, there is a bit of overboard behavior on both sides.

As far as the lifting technique of Crossfitters and their trainers(who only get a part of a weekend to learn the lifts in their general cert.), I would say that considering that CrossFitters have many skills to learn, the technique I have seen in olympic lifting, overall, is not that bad.

Compared, for instance, to the overall technique I see among olympic lifters(taught by specifically certified coaches who have coached it for years), who only concentrate on that one skill, CrossFitters are not that bad.

And, as M.M. points out, the numbers CrossFit has added to the USAW is very substancial.

CoachMc