Three time women’s CrossFit champion Tia-Clair Toomey has joined the growing chorus of athletes speaking out against CrossFit CEO and founder Greg Glassman’s recent tweets.

On Saturday, Glassman tweeted “Floyd-19” in reply to a post from the Institution for Health Metrics and Evaluation about the link between racism and public health, later adding a second comment: “Your failed model quarantined us and now you’re going to model a solution to racism? 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!”

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Toomey, who hails from Australia, posted a video to her Instagram channel.

“I wanted to start by saying that I am incredibly saddened, disappointed and frustrated with the actions and words of CrossFit HQ and in particular Greg Glassman,” she said.

Tia-Clair Toomey joins a growing list of athletes who have condemned Glassman’s tweets. Photo: Handout

“I’m deeply apologetic from the bottom of my heart to all the people who have had to witness this ignorance and the pain it causes. A lack of acknowledgement and empathy for those who are fighting for basic human rights and equality is simply inexcusable and it’s behaviour that we cannot stand for.”

Toomey went on to state: “My future with CrossFit is unclear and depends on the direction of HQ.”

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I wanted to start by saying that I am incredibly saddened, disappointed and frustrated with the actions and words of Crossfit HQ and in particular Greg Glassman. I’m deeply apologetic from the bottom of my heart to all the people who have had to witness this ignorance and the pain it causes. A lack of acknowledgement and empathy for those who are fighting for basic human rights and equality is simply inexcusable and it’s behaviour that we cannot stand for. It has made both Shane and I incredibly ashamed to be a part of an organisation that we have dedicated so much of ourselves to. If it has us angered and disappointed like we are, we couldn’t even begin to imagine how these words and actions affect the extremely diverse global community of crossfitters and supporters who have all dedicated so much time, money and passion to the sport. But this is much bigger than the sport. For those who continue to be dismissive of inequality, you must understand that this is a truly GLOBAL issue and we NO longer can sit idle and do or say nothing. It’s on ALL of us to keep fighting the cause globally until systemic racism and the inhumane treatment of black communities around the globe no longer exists. I said earlier that this issue is much bigger than sport, yet sport and the functional fitness space has a really important part to play. Sport and fitness bring us together and unite us in such a powerful and profound way. I want my platform to drive positivity, unity and the overall message that no matter your skin colour or cultural background, we should all inspire one another to be the best versions of themselves. I want my platform to reflect the values and beliefs of the community I feel most comfortable in, a community that raises up those around them and gives everybody their own individual opportunity to be a champion. My future with Crossfit is unclear and depends on the direction of HQ. I will continue to stand against ignorance and stand alongside those who fight abuse, hatred and racism.

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Canadian Patrick Vellner, who won this year’s 2020 CrossFit Open, also commented on the situation via his Instagram page. Vellner linked fellow Canadian CrossFitter Brent Fikowski in the post.

“Things have been happening fast lately and it’s hard to keep up, but we feel that something has to be said following the release of Greg Glassman’s words.”

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I've been talking with @fikowski a lot this week. One of the many good people I have in my life because of sport. We have been having difficult conversations about race and how fortunate and privileged we are. We have been trying to do the work on a personal level, having difficult conversations with people around us, educating ourselves and sharing resources. We didn’t do this to be “influencers” but because of our athletic success we have some influence. We don't have a fancy PR team running our IG, its just us and our phones. Things have been happening fast lately and it’s hard to keep up, but we feel that something has to be said following the release of Greg Glassman’s words. CrossFit has been our community, our livelihood and our passion for a long time. The comments made by Greg were unequivocally wrong and insensitive to a population that is hurting. CrossFit is bigger than a single man’s Twitter, as anyone who has walked into their community gym can attest to. Brent and I will be continuing to work on ourselves and those who we have been fortunate to touch through our sports careers. I very much hope that Greg can step up and do the same.

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Vellner continued: “The comments made by Greg were unequivocally wrong and insensitive to a population that is hurting. CrossFit is bigger than a single man’s Twitter, as anyone who has walked into their community gym can attest to.

“Brent and I will be continuing to work on ourselves and those who we have been fortunate to touch through our sports careers. I very much hope that Greg can step up and do the same.”

Many other stars of the sport, including Rich Froning, Mat Fraser, Noah Ohlsen, Katrin Davidsdottir and Chandler Smith have spoken out against Glassman’s comments and called for change within CrossFit’s leadership structure. Reebok and Rogue, CrossFit’s two biggest sponsors, have also stated they will no longer be working with the company.