Greg Glassman, the controversial founder of fitness workout craze CrossFit whose divisive comments about George Floyd led to more than 1,000 associates breaking ties with the company and Reebok pulling its sponsorship of the company's yearly CrossFit Games, has resigned from his role, Morning Chalk Up reported.
"I'm stepping down as CEO of CrossFit, Inc., and I have decided to retire," Glassman said in a statement. "On Saturday I created a rift in the CrossFit community and unintentionally hurt many of its members.
"Since I founded CrossFit 20 years ago, it has become the world's largest network of gyms. All are aligned in offering an elegant solution to the vexing problem of chronic disease. Creating CrossFit and supporting its affiliates and legions of professional trainers has been a labor of love.
"Those who know me know that my sole issue is the chronic disease epidemic. I know that CrossFit is the solution to this epidemic and that CrossFit HQ and its staff serve as the stewards of CrossFit affiliates worldwide. I cannot let my behavior stand in the way of HQ's or affiliates' missions. They are too important to jeopardize."
Glassman on Saturday responded to a tweet: "Racism and discrimination are critical public health issues that demand an urgent response" with "It's Floyd-19."
Earlier, on a Zoom call with gym owners, he said, "We're not mourning for George Floyd – I don't think me or any of my staff are."
"Can you tell me why I should mourn for him? Other than that it's the white thing to do — other than that, give me another reason," he asked a Minneapolis gym owner who questioned why CrossFit had not posted a statement regarding Floyd's death and the protests taking place around the country surrounding it.
More than 14,000 gyms around the world pay $3,000 a year to use the CrossFit name.
Solange Reyner ✉
Solange Reyner is a writer and editor for Newsmax. She has more than 15 years in the journalism industry reporting and covering news, sports and politics.
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