Glad to see Pat and Brent willing to put themselves out there to make a positive change in the sport they love. Huge respect. Clearly something needs to change.
@@coachlazarOk, but only b/c you yelled at me. Is it trolling if it's the truth? Did both these athletes did the ban cf during the Glassman tweet? Yet, after a death they decided to compete. And then later ask for a firing. Mmmmmm.
@@crossfit4654I didn’t yell at you . My caps was just on. Sorry for that. But commenting under every comment the same. There are enough explanations and every athlete has its own reason within a traumatic phase to handle the experience. Other people are more resilient and could be able do withdraw in the moment. Also other culture, other behavior.
I’d say these athletes know more then we do! Especially given many have joined the PFAA and tried to bring up so many concerns for over a decade with little to no change as Annie and many others have said and spoke up about. It’s not crazy the head of sport is being asked to step down. I definitely saw Dave’s removal as the straw that broke the camels back not as a blame game for Lazars death.
Proud of Brent and Pat for speaking out. For those who don't understand what they appear to be trying to accomplish is safety guidelines that other professional sports have. Eg. The water temperature in the swim portion of this event was 2 degrees higher that permissible for triathlon safety standards. Add the run in high temperatures before the swim, the fact that Brent saved Matt Fraser from drowning in a previous similar event is clear why this stance is required.
For anyone in the comments saying "entitlement", they are quite literally just trying to have athlete input into the safety standards that you would expect from a high level event. Thats not entitlement, thats empathy for your fellow competitior both present and future. No one wants another person to get hurt because of a problem that could have been avoided.
Dave preaches change is good for the sport. Well, here ya go Dave. Time for change. Dave needs to go and have more competent leadership. This is not war, this is sport.
@@roar66552 think if it was your sibling. Change is needed and it starts at the top. Anyone with the slightest experience in life would understand that when it comes to gross negligence
@puravidaot lol well, that's why 3rd party investigation is involved to find out exactly what happened. Dave was in charge of programming, safety protocols was set by CF and approved by the city. So just to blame someone without finding out the details is poor. Oh yes only 7 athletes out of 47 signed that letter requesting Dave to leave. So once again if you don't like it leave the sport
Thank you for hosting this interview Peter, it was great to hear the PFAA try to explain thier actions, I've been a fan of Brent and especially Pat since I 1st started watching CrossFit but hearing them speak on the matter has not endeared me to them
The PFAA seems to be the only entity that is stepping up and trying to make positive changes for the sport. These efforts pre-date the 2024 games, unfortunately, it has taken the ultimate tragedy to bring the focus this deserves. At this point, CrossFit HQ (and those in power there) are concerned with 1) potential criminal charges and lawsuits from the 2024 Games incident, and 2) keeping their jobs. CrossFit HQ will be hiding behind the excuse that they are waiting for the results of the independent investigation, which they need to do, however, history has shown that the only changes that ever happen at CrossFit HQ are those that benefit those in power.
Brent’s statement about him asking Dave to say that the decision to continue was not made in collaboration with the athletes tells me everything I need to know about him and the goal of the PFAA. The athletes were polled and 78% wanted to continue. They were allowed to break up into groups and elect reps to go and speak with Dave. That is the definition of working in collaboration. Just because Brent didn’t like that statement doesn’t mean he can control what Dave says especially if what he said it true.
You're just trying to justify the unjustifiable. David Castro and the CEO of CrossFit are dishonorable people, untrustworthy, because they told the athletes that they wouldn't make a statement, saying it was the athletes' decision to continue. When they give their word, in the first interview they give after the decision to continue, they say it was a unanimous consensus with the athletes. That is a betrayal. That is being untrustworthy. That speaks to the baseness and impurity that the company CrossFit represents. CrossFit is just a for-profit company that tries to use athletes for its own benefit without considering their safety and without listening to the consensus on the safety and environment in which this sport is practiced. It's a shame you think that way. I'm ashamed of the way you think
Noah Olsen just put up a video of what happened over the weekend and CF had started off the meeting saying the competition was proceeding. It wasn't until someone spoke up and started asking questions that there was debate on what should happen.
@@lehnerfitness6706 I just went and read Brent's post. Looks like they did not raise any specific concerns with event 1. They were concerned with was how many other events would also be outside in the heat.
The heat issue seems to get more attention than it should imo. Lazars death could’ve been prevented by adequate and trained people in the right place to save him.
Cannot understand why people are so against some of the most experienced Games athletes who are trying to make the sport they love safer for the athletes who are putting their safety in the hands of an organisation who has failed them on several occasions. Dave may love the Games more than anyone, doesn't mean he's any good at looking after the people he's putting through these events
I'm confused. Brent said Dave lied about the athlete participation with regards to the decision of continuing or not continuing the games. From what come out from athletes that were involved and present, the athletes did get to discuss and ultimately vote. The vote was unanimous to continue. So what was Brent asking Dave to do? Lie and say and athletes were involved?
Since there have been safety issues before and some close calls, not to mention the death of an athlete; These demands are valid, in my opinion. There should be a bunch of changes in order to improve Crossfit and propel us to the next level💪🏽
As a parent, willing to encourage my daughter to start CrossFit soon, health & safety issues need addressing like any business would need to address. And oversight should be robust by third parties. Otherwise CF won’t exist in the future. It’s looking like an amateur sport and not one that’s naturally maturing.
Pedro did an excellent job of being professional and neutral while still asking pointed questions. It's hard not to like Brent and Pat, but (IMO) their "demands" weren't well executed in thought, tone, or timing. They seem reactionary and overly aggressive. It is a vulnerable time for all involved. Still, I need help understanding the strategy of achieving positive change toward safety goals by publicly pressuring the people you want to collaborate with and singling out/humiliating Dave Castro. Brent and Pat are well-respected elder statesmen in the sport. They mention that several athletes may feel intimidated by Dave's strong personality and are unwilling to speak up. Still, I wonder if many of the younger athletes might also feel intimidated into acquiescing to their (Brent and Pat's) determined leadership and direction.
Change is never polite. You are pushing against a traditional system that is going to take brute force to aquiesce. Polite was what they tried before per their sharing. There's a time for everything.
LawTube has gotten wind of this and it is interesting to hear their thoughts on the situation (e.g., gross negligence, weongful death case), so itll be interesting to see what happens next from CrossFit. No matter what, Vellner and Fikowski are the real deal ❤
BJY said it best, PFAA wants the authority without the responsibility - this is how and when the events should be run in the name of “safety”, but we don’t know anything about safety so don’t hold us accountable
These are professional athletes with respect. Do any of them have any experience in emergency services to the level they even know what goes into a safety protocol? These safety plans go through the emergency services infrastructure of the city. These athletes do have the choice to compete. Like any high level professional athletics there is always a risk.
This entire issue reminds me of the same problem with a lot of community-based organisations like churches and non-profits. The creator/visionary person who is usually really good at growing an org is usually TERRIBLE and not the right person once it plateaus and becomes a legitimate success with thousands of people involved. The fact that the safety personnel are answering to management is proof enough to why the organisation is not equipped to handle events of this size and professionalism. The CrossFit games in particular have skated by but lazars death is the exclamation point on a series of serious failures that can only change with a leadership change. What CrossFit is going through is not unique.
I'm confused, what is the PFAA's solution? It seems like they offer alot of complaints but no solutions. Brent said CF said next time we will have more boats in the water and Pat said CF will give life rings to the paddle boarders. But NO ONE said what the PFAA would do different. I have not heard one solution offered by the PFAA.
Crossfit needs to apply the internet of things and digital twinning to their sport. The fittest in the world need a strategy for realtime monitoring of athlete health and safety. I can guarantee that at least one of those Navy Special Warfare folks knows a capable all source analyst and possibly an electrical engineer that could think through this problem. That would be a big can of worms to open, but I think it could be done successfully and would create some potentially interesting data visualizations for the fans as a side benefit.
But you're not paying attention to the interview. When the interviewer asks Pat Vellner what his reaction will be if CrossFit says no to all the PFAA's requests, he says that he will encourage other athletes to follow other competitions and not participate in the CrossFit Games. So, in order to have the best athletes in the world, there's a program designed in CrossFit with CrossFit movements. If you have Nike, Reebok, Adidas, or any other major sports sponsors like those, or, can you imagine a hybrid workout among the best athletes in the world organized with all those movements applied in the CrossFit Games sponsored by Coca-Cola, Reebok, Adidas, and any other big sponsors? How would it be? How much exposure would it get? Even though CrossFit is a brand, you could still have the best athletes in the world with all those movements applied in a CrossFit competition called Cross Training by all these brands. And what will happen, if it does happen, is that it will become a league, something like the ATP in tennis, and it will be much more interesting because you will have many more competitions.
Calling for DC’s job is definitely a knee jerk reaction! Not many people have as much passion as Dave for CrossFit. Few if any will feel as devastated, responsible as DC. He needs our support and help to get to the truth of what happened. He would then be the first to give up his position if it would help. Rugby, football and other sports hold world competitions in hot countries, the athletes are not asked about this. Most sports have generally one discipline to manage, CrossFit has much more so there is strong argument to say CrossFit’s ‘safety team’ should be huge.
PFAA Transparency. How do you become a PFAA member? What's their level of accountability for weighing in on the business decisions of CrossFit which may also effect 10000-15000 Box Owners and other Athletes? Does the PFAA have Affiliate Owner and members (the lifeblood of CrossFit) representation? Do they have a multi-million dollar insurance policy? How many CrossFit Athletes and CrossFit Professionals do they actually represent? How many PFAA members agreed with the "demands"? Do they have any stakehold in CrossFit Inc to justify "demands" ? Athletes and CrossFit professionals should have a voice but that privilege also attracts legal and professional responsibility and accountability. Brent and Pat clearly want the best for the sport but this interview is not convincing that the PFAA is ready for all the incumbent responsibility that goes with such influence over a private company and thousands of other small businesses around the world.
Dave’s Job is not to worry about safety. It’s to program workouts to find the fittest people on earth…regardless of movement, conditions, etc…that demand is just ridiculous and people wanting a scapegoat.
Does CrossFit contract the PFAA or have athletes under contract? If NO You are not professional athletes, you have no contract with CF, you sign up and pay for a competition. Demands of the PFAA mean nothing as you have no contract or authority.
The hard part of the Dave Castro situation is that I really don’t trust anyone above him. The CrossFit executive leadership makes your skin crawl as a bunch of silicone valley aristocracy flipping businesses and don’t have any soul for the heart of CrossFit. I feel like there’s a good chance Castro with real changes, third party safety etc would be better than the replacement director. But hopefully the new director is a good pick that makes sense. Couldn’t ask for better sport representatives than Brent and Pat.
I would happily serve as your independent liaison - you need a strength and conditioning / exercise physiologist to vet the programming in the games that can tell you whether or not this is a smart programming set up for the games. Reach out to me and I will send you my background and resume and professional CV- this is not the athletes responsibility.
Everyone has a say in what workout they choose to compete in, if you are not comfortable in the workout you can choose to not do the workout so I disagree with these guys although they are entitled to their opinion and I respect it. Wanting Dave Castro fired is definitely a knee jerk reaction to what happened to Lazar. I believe it was said that Lazar tested this workout days before the games. These athletes push themselves on every workout to the point of collapsing once they cross the finish line ....
Do you think athletes going to the Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon need to be informed that it might get hot? Your competition is in Texas, seems glaringly obvious that heat will be a factor and you should prepare for that without CrossFit having to tell you to. I feel like to PFAA is the exact scenario you don’t want to see as a safety team, a bunch of people, not all of them, who exist with confirmation bias towards their thoughts. Are there PFAA athletes who disagree with the associations stance? Because there are certainly high level athletes out there who disagree…
One thing you're missing tho is that for the Hawaiian ironman, people who are competing in that practice that exact length of swim, run, and bike hundreds of times a year so they're very much used to the physical exertion they will experience. Yes it's hot but you can deal with it being hot if you go down early and practice in the heat to acclimatize to the conditions. With CrossFit, you don't have the luxury of knowing exactly what you are going to do until the day before or day of, so not only do you not get to train your body for that exact movement combination, but you also don't get to do it while acclimatizing to the conditions.
@@beaulariviere5592 the location was announced a LONG time ago, everyone knew it would be hot and had the chance to train and acclimatise to the conditions, just as many IM athletes do. If you want athletes to know the exact movements, loads, time domains and combinations prior to the event, then you want a different event to the CrossFit Games... This just feels like a witch hunt, looking for a scapegoat and they don't yet have all the details, which imho makes them look foolish. If the PFAA was concerned about the safety of the event, why did they not speak up prior to the event? Why did they allow their members to start the event?
The swim comes first in Hawaiian Ironman...so people aren't exhausted while swimming. Also...the water temp at the Hawaiian Ironman is about 79 degs vs 87 in TX. I can't find an example of a single event...ever...where the swim preceded the run with these sort of air and water temps.
@@MarkStiegler over the years Ironman Hawaii has added multiple levels of safety, massive number of extra staff, of maintain communication with athletes, of keeping them well informed of conditions and mitigation measures. Because that's what professional organizations that want to grow do to attract high level athletes.
Why not wait till the 3rd party investigation is complete? To me…it seems like they are just as guilty as the people they are accusing. You took advantage of a tragedy to get what you want. Now you want to fire Dave cause its also personal for you guys. Maaaybe it wouldn’t have looked so hypocritical if you wouldn’t have competed to rest of the weekend.
The statement on it being hot in Dallas and how they should address that for the athletes safety is hysterical. When he tried to draw comparisons with other sports all I could think about was the Buffalo Bills choosing to not enclose their stadium when they rebuilt it. They did this because of the advantage they have over other teams who are from warmer climates. Playing in the snow in freezing temps is something they do well. Changing an entire sport to accommodate the weather is silly. We have an entire world of sissies who don’t even have any shame in it. Gross
Without Dave, Brent and Pat wouldnt be professional athletes. It’s a horrible tragedy but they elected to compete that day. The guy who won, swam the course earlier in the week. Dave showed more remorse than Brent who felt the events lined up with him and he continued to compete. If so unsafe, he should have pulled out of the games. Lost so much respect for Brent now.
Not until now. I have followed these two from the beginning. I really expected these two to pull together with CFHQ. That would have been so beneficial for everyone! Just disappointed in these two Canadians, not the whole country. I believe wholeheartedly that what they are doing is not helpful…but hurtful to all involved.
@@marcusbaxby6798 maybe…not sure I’m buying that they tried lately. I think they have a personal problem with Dave…the time of this attack w/o investigation results seems cruel & not helpful.
This is a bad look for Fikowski, he comes off as a child who did not get his way and is now throwing a temper tantrum. If he was serious about what he is bringing up now he would have quit competing at the Games long ago, there are plenty of other competitions. If his concerns were valid other athletes would have followed suit and the Games would have dissolved.
Why should Fikowski be chased out of CrossFit when he's devoted years to building it's brand? He has as many right to speak out as anyone and probably more as a nine time qualifier and two time podium finishes.
@@RogueCylonthe sport is safe. It’s been going on for almost twenty years. Hundreds upon hundreds of people have gone through the games. It was a tragic accident that deserves adjustments in protocol around open water swims. But no restructuring of known and unknowable or getting rid of Castro who at his core cares about the sport, the athletes, and their safety,is needed. Yes- there should be an independent safety team that has overall say of best practices- like OSHA. But that’s it.
If it's that bad, don't compete. You can't complain about how bad things when there are 1000s of people that will happily take your spot. "Strike" and "boycott" ? hahaha. Tia (who I don't believe is on this board) is the only person that would be missed- as far as representation on the podium. A new 3rd place finisher wouldn't be hard. A bunch of complaining journeymen athletes- besides these 2- who have been on a podium but never won. I'd like to see what Rich, Matt and Tia think about all of this.
Like they are doing well, they are fighting for their sport and changes are necessary committed, but why is anyone demanding? And how termination of Castro can change it to positive or negative side. What done is done, move on, do everything what makes CrossFit better, but it’s definitely not demanding and fairing one Person. That was responsibility of many ppl not only one. Then terminate all team and start from 0.
I’m no fan of Castro, but these 2 self-serving clowns basically ensured the demise of the CrossFit-led Games. Maybe it’s for the best though, considering 95% of L1 CrossFitters would program a more compelling Games than Dave or Boz.
Definitely divisive!!! TDC cares more about CF than you all! Not that it means a thing to you two, but you both lost a Texas Fan with this. You are not trying to pull together. You are doing more harm than good.
@@LeighFraiser if he was competent then the athletes wouldn’t have such serious concerns. I won’t say he has blood on his hands just yet because there’s still an investigation ongoing, but as Director of the CrossFit Games he’s ultimately responsible for everything that happens at the Games, so if it’s found that Lazar’s death was in any way preventable (seems likely according to witnesses), he is responsible.
Brent got his ass beat. If he won, he wouldn’t be saying shit. CrossFit games is not a sport. Brent doesn’t speak for “all,” of the athletes, just the cry babies in the pfaa.
I go to your channel and you have a playlist of “greatest sermons.” Your comment is the opposite of someone pursuing Christ. I am not saying you aren’t but I am saying you dropped the ball on this one.
Glad to see Pat and Brent willing to put themselves out there to make a positive change in the sport they love. Huge respect. Clearly something needs to change.
Didn't stop them from competing. Did they place a black square for George Floyd?
@@crossfit4654 STOP TROLLING ARROUND!
@@coachlazarOk, but only b/c you yelled at me. Is it trolling if it's the truth? Did both these athletes did the ban cf during the Glassman tweet? Yet, after a death they decided to compete. And then later ask for a firing. Mmmmmm.
@@crossfit4654I didn’t yell at you .
My caps was just on. Sorry for that.
But commenting under every comment the same.
There are enough explanations and every athlete has its own reason within a traumatic phase to handle the experience.
Other people are more resilient and could be able do withdraw in the moment. Also other culture, other behavior.
@@coachlazar replying to different people.
Never been more proud to be a fan of both Vellner & Fikowksi. I hope I get to meet you both some time 🖤❤️
Proud they still competed?
I’d say these athletes know more then we do! Especially given many have joined the PFAA and tried to bring up so many concerns for over a decade with little to no change as Annie and many others have said and spoke up about. It’s not crazy the head of sport is being asked to step down. I definitely saw Dave’s removal as the straw that broke the camels back not as a blame game for Lazars death.
Didn't stop them from competing.
Proud of Brent and Pat for speaking out. For those who don't understand what they appear to be trying to accomplish is safety guidelines that other professional sports have. Eg. The water temperature in the swim portion of this event was 2 degrees higher that permissible for triathlon safety standards. Add the run in high temperatures before the swim, the fact that Brent saved Matt Fraser from drowning in a previous similar event is clear why this stance is required.
For anyone in the comments saying "entitlement", they are quite literally just trying to have athlete input into the safety standards that you would expect from a high level event.
Thats not entitlement, thats empathy for your fellow competitior both present and future. No one wants another person to get hurt because of a problem that could have been avoided.
Quite. Anyone that thinks expecting a governing body to put athlete safety first is "entitlement", is probably a psychopath.
Lord a mercy, regardless your view on his position you’ve gotta realize Brent is linguistically very sharp.
Dave preaches change is good for the sport. Well, here ya go Dave. Time for change. Dave needs to go and have more competent leadership. This is not war, this is sport.
Dave needs to stay you go if you don't like it
@@roar66552 think really hard about that you're saying then come back
Once again you go if you don't like it
@@roar66552 think if it was your sibling. Change is needed and it starts at the top. Anyone with the slightest experience in life would understand that when it comes to gross negligence
@puravidaot lol well, that's why 3rd party investigation is involved to find out exactly what happened. Dave was in charge of programming, safety protocols was set by CF and approved by the city. So just to blame someone without finding out the details is poor. Oh yes only 7 athletes out of 47 signed that letter requesting Dave to leave. So once again if you don't like it leave the sport
So much respect for these guys. I hope they get more platforms to speak on. They have important, and valid points. Keep going guys.
Thank you for hosting this interview Peter, it was great to hear the PFAA try to explain thier actions, I've been a fan of Brent and especially Pat since I 1st started watching CrossFit but hearing them speak on the matter has not endeared me to them
I wish they would have been more specific about the safety concerns they had over the years.
Brent’s long IG post details this extensively
@@austinwhisler5938well, let me check a personal IG account instead of listening to this pidcast
The PFAA seems to be the only entity that is stepping up and trying to make positive changes for the sport. These efforts pre-date the 2024 games, unfortunately, it has taken the ultimate tragedy to bring the focus this deserves. At this point, CrossFit HQ (and those in power there) are concerned with 1) potential criminal charges and lawsuits from the 2024 Games incident, and 2) keeping their jobs. CrossFit HQ will be hiding behind the excuse that they are waiting for the results of the independent investigation, which they need to do, however, history has shown that the only changes that ever happen at CrossFit HQ are those that benefit those in power.
It’s a 3rd party investigation CF paid for. It’s in no way independent with CF writing the check. CF will disclose what they want.
Ignoring the PFAA up to this point is not going to help them in the inevitable lawsuit.
Brent’s statement about him asking Dave to say that the decision to continue was not made in collaboration with the athletes tells me everything I need to know about him and the goal of the PFAA. The athletes were polled and 78% wanted to continue. They were allowed to break up into groups and elect reps to go and speak with Dave. That is the definition of working in collaboration. Just because Brent didn’t like that statement doesn’t mean he can control what Dave says especially if what he said it true.
You're just trying to justify the unjustifiable. David Castro and the CEO of CrossFit are dishonorable people, untrustworthy, because they told the athletes that they wouldn't make a statement, saying it was the athletes' decision to continue. When they give their word, in the first interview they give after the decision to continue, they say it was a unanimous consensus with the athletes. That is a betrayal. That is being untrustworthy. That speaks to the baseness and impurity that the company CrossFit represents. CrossFit is just a for-profit company that tries to use athletes for its own benefit without considering their safety and without listening to the consensus on the safety and environment in which this sport is practiced. It's a shame you think that way. I'm ashamed of the way you think
Noah Olsen just put up a video of what happened over the weekend and CF had started off the meeting saying the competition was proceeding. It wasn't until someone spoke up and started asking questions that there was debate on what should happen.
If Brent didn't like the decision, he could have left like Horvath and Adler
Since Event 1 was released months before it was done, what concerns did the PFAA express to CrossFit about it?
Brent explained the entire issue on his IG
@@lehnerfitness6706 I just went and read Brent's post. Looks like they did not raise any specific concerns with event 1. They were concerned with was how many other events would also be outside in the heat.
@@lehnerfitness6706well, that wasn't true
The heat issue seems to get more attention than it should imo. Lazars death could’ve been prevented by adequate and trained people in the right place to save him.
Cannot understand why people are so against some of the most experienced Games athletes who are trying to make the sport they love safer for the athletes who are putting their safety in the hands of an organisation who has failed them on several occasions.
Dave may love the Games more than anyone, doesn't mean he's any good at looking after the people he's putting through these events
Thanks for doing this Pedro. Watching this has not changed how I feel. The first two demands make sense and the third does not.
Ari Matti’s recent bit about the difference between Canada and US pretty much sums this up.
Why remove Dave Castro? That doesn't make sense to me. Everything else, sure.
I'm confused. Brent said Dave lied about the athlete participation with regards to the decision of continuing or not continuing the games. From what come out from athletes that were involved and present, the athletes did get to discuss and ultimately vote. The vote was unanimous to continue. So what was Brent asking Dave to do? Lie and say and athletes were involved?
Didn’t Matt Fraser almost drown in a similar event years back?
Yes, and Brent was the one that helped him
yes! 2017
Since there have been safety issues before and some close calls, not to mention the death of an athlete; These demands are valid, in my opinion. There should be a bunch of changes in order to improve Crossfit and propel us to the next level💪🏽
Good interview.
Competitions should just have easy to measure movements. You can always add more reps or sets, for example, to make anything harder.
The PFAA should be called he Canadian Union.
As a parent, willing to encourage my daughter to start CrossFit soon, health & safety issues need addressing like any business would need to address. And oversight should be robust by third parties. Otherwise CF won’t exist in the future. It’s looking like an amateur sport and not one that’s naturally maturing.
Don’t try to Canada my CrossFit!
Pedro did an excellent job of being professional and neutral while still asking pointed questions. It's hard not to like Brent and Pat, but (IMO) their "demands" weren't well executed in thought, tone, or timing. They seem reactionary and overly aggressive. It is a vulnerable time for all involved. Still, I need help understanding the strategy of achieving positive change toward safety goals by publicly pressuring the people you want to collaborate with and singling out/humiliating Dave Castro. Brent and Pat are well-respected elder statesmen in the sport. They mention that several athletes may feel intimidated by Dave's strong personality and are unwilling to speak up. Still, I wonder if many of the younger athletes might also feel intimidated into acquiescing to their (Brent and Pat's) determined leadership and direction.
…were well respected…past tense for me!
Castro has rejected working with PFAA the last several years.
"Reactionary" and "over aggressive" are about the last things these guys are! And, come on, is that how you describe Canadians. Lol
@@jessiegoodrich6799 Maybe they had too much Maple syrup. The sugar got to them! 😁
Change is never polite. You are pushing against a traditional system that is going to take brute force to aquiesce.
Polite was what they tried before per their sharing.
There's a time for everything.
LawTube has gotten wind of this and it is interesting to hear their thoughts on the situation (e.g., gross negligence, weongful death case), so itll be interesting to see what happens next from CrossFit. No matter what, Vellner and Fikowski are the real deal ❤
BJY said it best, PFAA wants the authority without the responsibility - this is how and when the events should be run in the name of “safety”, but we don’t know anything about safety so don’t hold us accountable
These are professional athletes with respect. Do any of them have any experience in emergency services to the level they even know what goes into a safety protocol? These safety plans go through the emergency services infrastructure of the city. These athletes do have the choice to compete. Like any high level professional athletics there is always a risk.
Clear to see there was very little trust between athletes and CrossFit before the 2024 games and it’s non existent after it
They are so impressive! Thanks for taking the time to do all of this
This entire issue reminds me of the same problem with a lot of community-based organisations like churches and non-profits. The creator/visionary person who is usually really good at growing an org is usually TERRIBLE and not the right person once it plateaus and becomes a legitimate success with thousands of people involved. The fact that the safety personnel are answering to management is proof enough to why the organisation is not equipped to handle events of this size and professionalism. The CrossFit games in particular have skated by but lazars death is the exclamation point on a series of serious failures that can only change with a leadership change. What CrossFit is going through is not unique.
I'm confused, what is the PFAA's solution? It seems like they offer alot of complaints but no solutions. Brent said CF said next time we will have more boats in the water and Pat said CF will give life rings to the paddle boarders. But NO ONE said what the PFAA would do different. I have not heard one solution offered by the PFAA.
Crossfit needs to apply the internet of things and digital twinning to their sport. The fittest in the world need a strategy for realtime monitoring of athlete health and safety. I can guarantee that at least one of those Navy Special Warfare folks knows a capable all source analyst and possibly an electrical engineer that could think through this problem. That would be a big can of worms to open, but I think it could be done successfully and would create some potentially interesting data visualizations for the fans as a side benefit.
Do away with The Games, let these “pro” athletes fade into obscurity and bring Crossfit purely back to focusing on the affiliates.
But you're not paying attention to the interview. When the interviewer asks Pat Vellner what his reaction will be if CrossFit says no to all the PFAA's requests, he says that he will encourage other athletes to follow other competitions and not participate in the CrossFit Games. So, in order to have the best athletes in the world, there's a program designed in CrossFit with CrossFit movements. If you have Nike, Reebok, Adidas, or any other major sports sponsors like those, or, can you imagine a hybrid workout among the best athletes in the world organized with all those movements applied in the CrossFit Games sponsored by Coca-Cola, Reebok, Adidas, and any other big sponsors? How would it be? How much exposure would it get? Even though CrossFit is a brand, you could still have the best athletes in the world with all those movements applied in a CrossFit competition called Cross Training by all these brands. And what will happen, if it does happen, is that it will become a league, something like the ATP in tennis, and it will be much more interesting because you will have many more competitions.
Great interview.
Calling for DC’s job is definitely a knee jerk reaction! Not many people have as much passion as Dave for CrossFit. Few if any will feel as devastated, responsible as DC. He needs our support and help to get to the truth of what happened. He would then be the first to give up his position if it would help.
Rugby, football and other sports hold world competitions in hot countries, the athletes are not asked about this.
Most sports have generally one discipline to manage, CrossFit has much more so there is strong argument to say CrossFit’s ‘safety team’ should be huge.
Pedro created enemies 😀.. you have been cheating on me meeting with other people without my knowledge 😅
PFAA Transparency.
How do you become a PFAA member?
What's their level of accountability for weighing in on the business decisions of CrossFit which may also effect 10000-15000 Box Owners and other Athletes?
Does the PFAA have Affiliate Owner and members (the lifeblood of CrossFit) representation?
Do they have a multi-million dollar insurance policy?
How many CrossFit Athletes and CrossFit Professionals do they actually represent?
How many PFAA members agreed with the "demands"?
Do they have any stakehold in CrossFit Inc to justify "demands" ?
Athletes and CrossFit professionals should have a voice but that privilege also attracts legal and professional responsibility and accountability.
Brent and Pat clearly want the best for the sport but this interview is not convincing that the PFAA is ready for all the incumbent responsibility that goes with such influence over a private company and thousands of other small businesses around the world.
Decent amount of this is answered in the full interview
Dave’s Job is not to worry about safety. It’s to program workouts to find the fittest people on earth…regardless of movement, conditions, etc…that demand is just ridiculous and people wanting a scapegoat.
Does CrossFit contract the PFAA or have athletes under contract? If NO You are not professional athletes, you have no contract with CF, you sign up and pay for a competition. Demands of the PFAA mean nothing as you have no contract or authority.
lol “pat you can speak to that”
Came here to look for this comment cause I thought the same 😂 the both handled it very well!
The hard part of the Dave Castro situation is that I really don’t trust anyone above him. The CrossFit executive leadership makes your skin crawl as a bunch of silicone valley aristocracy flipping businesses and don’t have any soul for the heart of CrossFit. I feel like there’s a good chance Castro with real changes, third party safety etc would be better than the replacement director. But hopefully the new director is a good pick that makes sense. Couldn’t ask for better sport representatives than Brent and Pat.
I would happily serve as your independent liaison - you need a strength and conditioning / exercise physiologist to vet the programming in the games that can tell you whether or not this is a smart programming set up for the games. Reach out to me and I will send you my background and resume and professional CV- this is not the athletes responsibility.
If the games are not back next year I lay the blame on the shoulders of these two Dave haters and self interest individuals.
Everyone has a say in what workout they choose to compete in, if you are not comfortable in the workout you can choose to not do the workout so I disagree with these guys although they are entitled to their opinion and I respect it. Wanting Dave Castro fired is definitely a knee jerk reaction to what happened to Lazar. I believe it was said that Lazar tested this workout days before the games. These athletes push themselves on every workout to the point of collapsing once they cross the finish line ....
I can’t wait to hear what Hiller has to say 🦇
Couldn't care less what that nobody has to say about it, but he'll find a way to the most divisive reaction from everybody
@@daveriley9467 okay thanks
Do you think athletes going to the Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon need to be informed that it might get hot? Your competition is in Texas, seems glaringly obvious that heat will be a factor and you should prepare for that without CrossFit having to tell you to.
I feel like to PFAA is the exact scenario you don’t want to see as a safety team, a bunch of people, not all of them, who exist with confirmation bias towards their thoughts. Are there PFAA athletes who disagree with the associations stance? Because there are certainly high level athletes out there who disagree…
One thing you're missing tho is that for the Hawaiian ironman, people who are competing in that practice that exact length of swim, run, and bike hundreds of times a year so they're very much used to the physical exertion they will experience.
Yes it's hot but you can deal with it being hot if you go down early and practice in the heat to acclimatize to the conditions.
With CrossFit, you don't have the luxury of knowing exactly what you are going to do until the day before or day of, so not only do you not get to train your body for that exact movement combination, but you also don't get to do it while acclimatizing to the conditions.
@@beaulariviere5592 the location was announced a LONG time ago, everyone knew it would be hot and had the chance to train and acclimatise to the conditions, just as many IM athletes do. If you want athletes to know the exact movements, loads, time domains and combinations prior to the event, then you want a different event to the CrossFit Games... This just feels like a witch hunt, looking for a scapegoat and they don't yet have all the details, which imho makes them look foolish. If the PFAA was concerned about the safety of the event, why did they not speak up prior to the event? Why did they allow their members to start the event?
The swim comes first in Hawaiian Ironman...so people aren't exhausted while swimming. Also...the water temp at the Hawaiian Ironman is about 79 degs vs 87 in TX. I can't find an example of a single event...ever...where the swim preceded the run with these sort of air and water temps.
@@MarkStiegler over the years Ironman Hawaii has added multiple levels of safety, massive number of extra staff, of maintain communication with athletes, of keeping them well informed of conditions and mitigation measures. Because that's what professional organizations that want to grow do to attract high level athletes.
Too little too late.
It's just a power grab while their competitive careers wind down. Scream your demands the loudest and they will seem more important.
Agreed….dont like it? Go start your own league and let me know how that goes.
Why not wait till the 3rd party investigation is complete? To me…it seems like they are just as guilty as the people they are accusing. You took advantage of a tragedy to get what you want. Now you want to fire Dave cause its also personal for you guys. Maaaybe it wouldn’t have looked so hypocritical if you wouldn’t have competed to rest of the weekend.
The statement on it being hot in Dallas and how they should address that for the athletes safety is hysterical. When he tried to draw comparisons with other sports all I could think about was the Buffalo Bills choosing to not enclose their stadium when they rebuilt it. They did this because of the advantage they have over other teams who are from warmer climates. Playing in the snow in freezing temps is something they do well. Changing an entire sport to accommodate the weather is silly. We have an entire world of sissies who don’t even have any shame in it. Gross
Without Dave, Brent and Pat wouldnt be professional athletes. It’s a horrible tragedy but they elected to compete that day. The guy who won, swam the course earlier in the week. Dave showed more remorse than Brent who felt the events lined up with him and he continued to compete. If so unsafe, he should have pulled out of the games. Lost so much respect for Brent now.
Unpopular opinion, I don't think Dave should be removed.
Not until now. I have followed these two from the beginning. I really expected these two to pull together with CFHQ. That would have been so beneficial for everyone! Just disappointed in these two Canadians, not the whole country. I believe wholeheartedly that what they are doing is not helpful…but hurtful to all involved.
@@LeighFraiser their entire point is that they wanted to pull together with CFHQ but were batted away.
@@marcusbaxby6798 maybe…not sure I’m buying that they tried lately. I think they have a personal problem with Dave…the time of this attack w/o investigation results seems cruel & not helpful.
This is a bad look for Fikowski, he comes off as a child who did not get his way and is now throwing a temper tantrum. If he was serious about what he is bringing up now he would have quit competing at the Games long ago, there are plenty of other competitions. If his concerns were valid other athletes would have followed suit and the Games would have dissolved.
Yep!
Why should Fikowski be chased out of CrossFit when he's devoted years to building it's brand? He has as many right to speak out as anyone and probably more as a nine time qualifier and two time podium finishes.
Crossfit is a crap Corporation that needs serious change!
@@PeterBrake123 ummm going to the games is not building the brand.
@@ncturkeycaller You're kidding, right?
As a parent you can’t give into demands! Also, if their demands are not meet so they take their ball and go home!
So much entitlement.
It’s not bloody entitlement. It’s the next step in wanting to see a safer sport.
@@RogueCylonthe sport is safe. It’s been going on for almost twenty years. Hundreds upon hundreds of people have gone through the games. It was a tragic accident that deserves adjustments in protocol around open water swims. But no restructuring of known and unknowable or getting rid of Castro who at his core cares about the sport, the athletes, and their safety,is needed. Yes- there should be an independent safety team that has overall say of best practices- like OSHA. But that’s it.
Between the two of them about 19 years and five podium finishes worth of entitlement to speak out. If they haven't earned it, nobody has.
Entitled to have the "sport". It's so corny. I would like to see the money leave the competitive space.
If it's that bad, don't compete. You can't complain about how bad things when there are 1000s of people that will happily take your spot.
"Strike" and "boycott" ? hahaha. Tia (who I don't believe is on this board) is the only person that would be missed- as far as representation on the podium. A new 3rd place finisher wouldn't be hard.
A bunch of complaining journeymen athletes- besides these 2- who have been on a podium but never won.
I'd like to see what Rich, Matt and Tia think about all of this.
TIA and Rich supports Dave, Matt not sure
Like they are doing well, they are fighting for their sport and changes are necessary committed, but why is anyone demanding?
And how termination of Castro can change it to positive or negative side. What done is done, move on, do everything what makes CrossFit better, but it’s definitely not demanding and fairing one Person. That was responsibility of many ppl not only one. Then terminate all team and start from 0.
I really have lost all respect for Pat and Brent.
One question…did you accept the prize money. Ummm…something smells a little rotten & it’s coming from our northern border.
“People aren’t going to compete” just like how you and Brent withdrew to show your stance? Pathetic.
I’m no fan of Castro, but these 2 self-serving clowns basically ensured the demise of the CrossFit-led Games. Maybe it’s for the best though, considering 95% of L1 CrossFitters would program a more compelling Games than Dave or Boz.
Definitely divisive!!! TDC cares more about CF than you all! Not that it means a thing to you two, but you both lost a Texas Fan with this. You are not trying to pull together. You are doing more harm than good.
Caring does not mean competence
@@marcusbaxby6798 he is both.
@@LeighFraiser if he was competent then the athletes wouldn’t have such serious concerns. I won’t say he has blood on his hands just yet because there’s still an investigation ongoing, but as Director of the CrossFit Games he’s ultimately responsible for everything that happens at the Games, so if it’s found that Lazar’s death was in any way preventable (seems likely according to witnesses), he is responsible.
@@marcusbaxby6798 most don’t
@@marcusbaxby6798 I respectfully disagree.
These two guys are a joke. Taking advantage of the situation and attacking Dave.
I wonder if he wins, does he still complain
Very disappointed in you boys.
You seem reactionary and overly emotional. To be quite frank, it sounds like a temper tantrum ;)
@@jessiegoodrich6799 lol
Probably. 💁🏼♀️
@@LeighFraiser lol :)
Brent got his ass beat. If he won, he wouldn’t be saying shit. CrossFit games is not a sport. Brent doesn’t speak for “all,” of the athletes, just the cry babies in the pfaa.
I go to your channel and you have a playlist of “greatest sermons.” Your comment is the opposite of someone pursuing Christ. I am not saying you aren’t but I am saying you dropped the ball on this one.
@@johnmichaelloggins8006 thanks!
27427 Stiedemann Route