Around the time they published a statement on Greg Glassman’s retirement as CEO, CrossFit.com also published a letter titled, “Why Didn’t CrossFit Just Say Something?”
In the lengthy direct address to the CrossFit community, CrossFit’s staff addresses a number of topics and questions stemming from — but not just confined to — founder Greg Glassman’s tweets from the previous weekend. Since Glassman’s Twitter comments, other information has come to light to feed what’s been a largely critical response. These include an email reply from Glassman to the leadership of Rocket CrossFit, along with audio of an earlier Zoom call in which Glassman can be heard saying, “We’re not mourning for George Floyd.”
The statement, which we highly recommend reading in full, addresses Greg Glassman’s Twitter remarks and potential legacy while also discussing the brand’s relative silence on issues pertaining to the #BlackLivesMatter movement. The post — which has a byline that simply reads “CrossFit” — also acknowledges the nearly unprecedented nature of the candid address.
“CrossFit is a collection of many voices. Though we have never spoken to you with this degree of candor outside the realm of fitness and health, we are taking the step to do that now.”… “It is rare for us to speak on these types of issues. We struggled the past few weeks because we allowed our desire to get it right to paralyze us.”
The letter — which ends with a subhead titled “This Message Is Late, Long, and Imperfect” — also comments on what nearly everyone in the CrossFit community is wondering: What will become of CrossFit and the CrossFit community?
“How do you speak effectively, accurately, and authentically to a community you love so much when what’s at stake is the possibility of irreparable division?
We still do not know.
But this team will continue to pour its heart out in service of the community. We are flawed, we make mistakes, but we are pure in our intentions, and we will continue to engage in rigorous self-examination and self-betterment, because we owe you that much and so much more.”
In the wake of Glassman’s weekend remarks, sponsors including Reebok have announced their intent to either cut ties or not renew partnerships with CrossFit HQ. Over 1,000 CrossFit affiliate gyms have expressed their intent to not renew the brand’s licensing agreement. And a growing number of elite CrossFit athletes have said they will not be participating in official CrossFit competition until major changes are made at CrossFit HQ.
It remains to be seen if Glassman’s retirement, Castro’s ascension, and CrossFit’s statement will amount to enough. There has been no official word on whether ownership of CrossFit, Inc. will shift; according to reports, Greg Glassman currently owns the privately held company outright.
Featured image: @CrossFit on Instagram