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Crossfit star apologizes for posting workout photo at a Holocaust memorial

August 11, 2015 at 8:07 a.m. EDT
(Instagram photo by Dave Driskell, taken in Iceland)

Dave Driskell, a well-known Crossfit competitor and coach, apologized Monday night after drawing criticism for posting an Instagram photo showing him doing a handstand at Berlin’s memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe earlier in the day.

“Hello Berlin, Germany. 15 hour layover. Checking the sites. Drinking the beers. Eating the bratwurst. #vagabond #wanderlustwods #handstands #365daysofhandstands,” he wrote on the photo, which was quickly deleted after fans pointed out that it “isn’t too cool.”

However, the image remains on social media and shows Driskell doing a handstand on one of the over 2,700 concrete slabs that make up part of the memorial.

Driskell, 36, is a native of Bali and travels the world posting pictures of his workouts. He posted an apology on Instagram Monday night.

I’d like to apologize for any offense the last picture I posted has caused. I had a quick layover in Berlin today with a good friend and we walked all around the city looking at and enjoying all the beauty it has to offer. We walked near this memorial not knowing what it was at the time. People were walking on the pillars. Kids running around. People sitting on them. It was gorgeous and looked visually stunning. As with all things like this I wanted a picture next to it, as I have been doing for years. I took a handstand picture with it as the background. I truly did not know what the structure was.
I feel completely terrible as I would never purposely offend or disrespect this memorial had I known. I posted the picture using the wifi from a local cafe and then went back to exploring the city. It wasn’t until later tonight at the airport that I realized my error in understanding what this structure was.
I’ve been doing handstands all over the world since I started this amazing wanderlust adventure that has inspired people all over the world.
Earlier this year I flew to India to help with a charitable event which raised over $24,000.00 to help the orphans and needy in India. I love to promote fitness and inspire people to do something different than the norm: To be epic. To be fit. To help others. To chase happiness. To show love! I love all and strive to show that through my passions of travel and fitness.
Again I apologize for this horrible misunderstanding and any offense this might have caused.
Anyone who knows me, knows this is the complete opposite of what I would want.
I respectfully ask your forgiveness.
Dave Driskell.

HT Buzzfeed, Gawker