Patrick Vellner reflects on his adjusted finish at the 2017 Reebok CrossFit Games. BY DANIEL A. ANDERSON
“My dad was a diver. ... It’s kind of how I got into acrobatics.” —Patrick Vellner
Sevan Matossian: Are you profoundly shocked? Patrick Vellner: At the fact that there was a drug scandal? I don’t think so. I think you’re naive to think that it doesn’t exist. … It certainly exists. I’m sure it does. Clearly it does. But I don’t think it’s as rampant as some people might believe.
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“I don’t finish an event and make excuses as my first reaction and my first instinct. That’s useless. If that’s the way you deal with any of your shortcomings, it’s going to be a long life.” —Patrick Vellner
Sean Woodland: When you look at that bronze medal, does it mean as much to you now as it would have had you been awarded it in Madison? Patrick Vellner: I don’t know. … The better question is, when Ricky looks at his third-place medal, what does he think?
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIEL A. ANDERSON • LAYOUT & DESIGN BY IAN WEBB