PFAA Calls for the Resignation of Dave Castro
The Professional Fitness Athletes' Association (PFAA), representing the interests of athletes competing in the CrossFit Games season, has issued a public statement demanding the resignation of Dave Castro from his position on the CrossFit Sports team.
The PFAA's stance highlights concerns over the handling of recent events, particularly following the tragic death of athlete Lazar Dukic.
The foundation of CrossFit as a sport is built on the principle that athletes enter events without knowing all the details, trusting that they will be safeguarded if something goes wrong. "We assumed that if something went wrong, we would be protected. We were wrong," the PFAA stated.
The PFAA has outlined three critical demands:
- The PFAA demands adequate transparency between CrossFit and the PFAA regarding the third-party investigation into the death of Lazar Dukic and the subsequent changes made to protect all athletes in the future.
- The PFAA calls for the creation of an independent safety team by CrossFit, which will maintain continuous communication with the PFAA to ensure the ongoing protection of athletes.
- Lastly, the PFAA demands that Dave Castro be removed from his position within the CrossFit Sports team.
These demands reflect the immediate actions required to begin restoring the athletes' trust in the CrossFit Sport. The PFAA also recognizes that more must be done to change the culture and strategic direction of the sport to ensure its future, a process that will take time.
The statement was signed by the PFAA Board: Annie Thorisdottir, Brent Fikowski, Dina Swift, Fee Saghafi, Leeverne Engelbrecht, Patrick Vellner, Royce Dunne, and Victoria Campos.
