Greg Glassman’s controversy and new CrossFit CEO
In the recent days the Crossfit world has literally been turned upside down and shaken about to an extent where many of us are left wondering, if after this week our beloved sport will ever be the same.
Greg Glassman's comments
For those who are unaware Crossfit founder, CEO and owner Greg Glassman this past weekend tweeted a series of insensitive at best and racist at worst remarks.
Additionally when an affiliate owner emailed CFHQ questioning their lack of acknowledgment of the BLM movement Glassman directly responded to the email attacking the owner, telling her he was ashamed of her and questioning her mental health.
Not to mention his questionable remarks made during a Zoom meeting held with a number of affiliate owners when they asked him about their silence regarding the movement and Floydโs death.
All these actions are deplorable and cannot be ignored especially coming from the owner of a global brand such as Crossfit.
Athletes and brands turn their backs on Greg
As a matter of fact shortly after these events became of public knowledge athletes and brands started retaliating. Many brands including Rebook, Rogue and FitAid cancelled their sponsorship deals with CF.
Additionally the vast majority of Games or retired Games athletes publicly denounced CFHQ and made sure that the whole community knew where they stand when it comes to racial inequality. Big names such as Noah Ohlsen, Chandler Smith and Kristi Eramo all announced that they wouldnโt be partaking in the Crossfit Games 2020.
Lastly one after the other affiliates started announcing their intents to not renew their affiliation with the Crossfit brand. The current known tally stands at 1250 a loss of roughly 3.75 million in annual revenue.
By Monday evening the Crossfit community was left with so many question: where do we go from here? Whatโs the future of the Games? Are more athletes going to cancel their Games ticket? Will things change at my box once it removes itโs affiliation? But probably the most important question of all, a question so many athletes tried answering in their own Instagram posts, is: what are Crossfit and the Crossfit community? Especially now where so many of the โfoundational figuresโ of the sport have distanced themselves from Glassman and his brand. To answer this question we reached out to some of our most renown athletes to to have their opinion on what Crossfit is to them. Because at the end of the day Crossfit is a sport, itโs a lifestyle and most importantly itโs a community, a community that wonโt stand up for a brand that doesnโt represent itโs core values.
Kristof Horvath: Crossfit has taken over my life 7 years ago. I have lead, built and been a part of the global and micro community we call boxes. The same boxes I have known to be tight circles where people of all ethnicities, race, age and gender can rely and trust one another. I see hundred of our athletes walking into our gyms to have one of the best hours of their day and each one of them is welcome, because this sport and our community IS INCLUSIVE! trying to build relationship, fitness and health.
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Jacqueline Dahlstrom: It makes me both happy and proud to see so many stand up and not keep quiet anymore. One thing that I always loved about Crossfit is that unlike โconventional fitness gymsโ when entering a box you actually feel like you belong and are able to make friends. I used to work out at a normal globe gym and would train โwithโ people for years without really having a conversation with them. I definitely wouldnโt be where I am today without the support and community at the boxes Iโve been so fortunate to call โhomeโ.
Julie Hougard : When I think of the Crossfit community I picture friendliness and unity. I have met so many people through Crossfit, some of them I consider my very best friends. The community has shown me patience and compassion. The support I received fueled my fire so many times when I felt low. It has helped make me more resilient, determined and confident enough to chase my dreams. This is what anyone should expect when walking into a Crossfit gym no matter gender, color or age.
Ella Kanona: My whole life would look completely different if it wasnโt for this sport. Iโve met so many people through CrossFit and built a life I would have never achieved before. And the majority of my Crossfit memories revolve around the community. Itโs what I love most about this sport; the people. Wherever you go in the world you can walk into a Crossfit gym and feel at home. I feel proud to be part of such a strong and non-shit taking community. We Have shown how strong we are together and it has given me hope.
Rebecka Vitesson: Itโs incredible to be part of such a strong and united fitness community, full of power and determination. To me equality is a core value: everyone deserves to be welcomed and respected inside and outside of the gym.
Greg Glassman resigns
Of course we canโt stop here with this article, by Tuesday in fact Glassman announced his resignation as CEO of the company. The man who will be taking his place is no stranger to the CF community either: Dave Castro. It is important to note before we dive into more details that Glassman is still the 100% owner of Crossfit. This means he still will benefit from a financial standpoint from the possible growth of CF in the upcoming years, he also can take control of the company if he believes necessary to do so.
When Crossfit released the statement announcing Glassmanโs retirement Dave also issued this comment on the matter.
โCrossFit is a community โ one that is global, diverse, and tough. Every person in our community shares a common bond. We are all dedicated to a visionary, transformative approach to health and fitness. Our individual passions for that approach have forged an enduring community.
Our community is hurt, though. Our shared bond brings together millions of people with differing opinions, viewpoints, and experiences. Friction is inevitable. Common ground, mutual respect, and fellowship must also be inevitable. Iโm honored to take on the role of CEO of CrossFit, Inc. I hope to do right by affiliates, trainers, athletes, and other members of the CrossFit community around the world and never lose sight of the mission Greg established for us all.โ
Dave Castro new CrossFit CEO
Although it would be easy to attack Castro on his lack of acknowledgment of the mistreatment of affiliate owners from the hand of Glassman it would also be equally unfair to place a final judgment on him. The community has had a hate love relationship with Dave Castro for years now, we know you all cursed him a couple times during the open ;). So we are open to see where this new leadership will take the community and the sport as a whole. But most importantly we now know that Crossfitters from all over the globe wonโt stay quiet when they face something they firmly believe to be wrong and unfair.
The future may be uncertain but we are going to keep a positive outlook because at the end of the day we know there will always be our gym community to catch us and put Crossfit back on the right path when it loses itโs direction.