CrossFit CEO's comment on George Floyd stirs outrage in community
Steve Gardner USA TODAYA major divide is developing within the community of CrossFit enthusiasts in the wake of comments made Saturday night by company CEO Greg Glassman.
In response to a tweet by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation calling racism and discrimination "public health issues," Glassman replied, "It's FLOYD-19."
The comment spurred protests from many CrossFit affiliates – and on Sunday, Footwear News reported Reebok has chosen not to continue its affiliation with the brand.
“(I)n light of recent events, we have made the decision to end our partnership with CrossFit HQ,” Reebok said in a statement to Footwear News. “We will fulfill our remaining contractual obligations in 2020. We owe this to the CrossFit Games competitors, fans and the community.”
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The statement continued: “What doesn’t change is our commitment and dedication to CrossFitters and the passionate CrossFit community."
Two-time CrossFit Games women's champion KatrÃn DavÃðsdóttir publicly criticized Glassman for his remarks. And 2008 men's champ Jason Khalipa announced he would pull the affiliation for his NCFIT in northern California.
"We have been an affiliate for more than 10-years, but we can no longer continue along this path," Khalipa wrote on Instragram. "We owe it to our team, members, and the greater community to stand for something better than what we are witnessing."
Glassman followed up his comments with another tweet Sunday directed toward IMHE.
"Your failed model quarantined us and now you're going to model a solution to racism?" he said. "George Floyd's brutal murder sparked riots nationally. Quarantine alone is 'accompanied in every age and under all political regimes by an undercurrent of suspicion, distrust and riots.' Thanks!"
Later Sunday, Champlain Valley CrossFit in Vermont – at one time the home base for four-time champ Mat Fraser – announced Sunday it would disassociate with CrossFit and be known as Champlain Valley Community Fitness.
Glassman issued a statement on Sunday night, writing across multiple tweets:
"I, CrossFit HQ, and the CrossFit community will not stand for racism. I made a mistake by the words I chose yesterday. My heart is deeply saddened by the pain it has caused. It was a mistake, not racist but a mistake.
"Floyd is a hero in the black community and not just a victim. I should have been sensitive to that and wasn't. I apologize for that. I was trying to stick it to the (IHME) for their invalidated models resulting in needless, economy-wrecking, life-wrecking lockdown, and when I saw they were announcing modeling a solution to our racial crisis, I was incredulous, angry, and overly emotional. Involving George Floyd's name in that effort was wrong.
"It’s our hope that his murder catalyzes real change resulting in a level playing field for our black brothers and sisters. Please hear me when I say, we stand by our community to fight for justice. I care about you, our community, and I am here for you."
Via PakapNews