Spartan Race canceled over 'cultural appropriation' concerns
FORT STEWART, Ga. — The Pentagon has ordered Maj. Gen. James E. Rainey, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, to cancel next month's planned “Spartan Race” after Hellenic activists raised concerns over “cultural appropriation.”
According to Panhellenic Unity spokesman Yanni Caramanis, the event's name was taken from a culture that “had suffered oppression at the hands of other Greek city states, as well as the Persians, following their defeat at the Battle of Leuctra on July 6, 371 BC.”
“Lest we forget,” Caramanis added.
According to organizers and sponsors, the Spartan Race consists of obstacles including climbing walls, sprints, mud pits, and so on.
“Simply put, it is the world's leading obstacle race series,” according to Reebok, the race's primary sponsor. “[It is] an event of pure primitive craziness that you'll never forget,” while “doing shit that you can do for absolutely free at any military base in the United States.”
Pentagon Spokesman Peter Cook says DoD agrees with the Panhe…
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