Peloton Pulls Controversial Halloween Ride Over Oversight

2 min read

Peloton has removed a controversial Halloween-themed ride titled ‘Varosha Ride’ following public backlash over its sensitive historical context. The 15-minute scenic class, which featured no instructor, was posted to the company’s Halloween collection on October 28. The decision to pull the class came after criticism from Greek officials and residents, who highlighted the historical significance of the location.

Historical Sensitivity and Criticism

Varosha, a Cypriot city that was emptied by Turkish troops in 1974, has remained uninhabited for over five decades. The Security Council has passed two resolutions naming it, 550 in 1984 and 789 in 1992, calling for the district to be settled only by its original residents. Endy Zemenides, executive director of the Hellenic American Leadership Council, criticized Peloton for trivializing the area, stating, ‘Varosha is not a haunted amusement park.’

Zemenides pointed out that the city was home to families before the invasion, and those who fled have never been allowed to return. He argued that the empty homes and hotels should not be treated as Halloween props, urging Peloton to replace the location with alternatives such as the Akamas Peninsula, the Troodos Mountains, and Paphos.

Company Response and Editorial Review

In response to the criticism, Peloton issued an apology, calling the class an ‘oversight that does not reflect our values.’ The company pledged to strengthen its editorial review process. The ride was part of Peloton’s Halloween collection, which included 21 themed workouts in the final 11 days of October, with each workout contributing to a badge available through Halloween.

A second ride featuring Varosha was also pulled, which included other locations such as Bran Castle in Romania, a cemetery in Savannah, the Goli Otok prison island, a Colorado mine, and a storm at sea. The class was narrated by instructor Bradley Rose for the full 30 minutes.

Political Context and Ongoing Discussions

The issue of Varosha remains a contentious topic in Cyprus, with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides advocating for the district to be handed to the United Nations, with Famagusta’s port opened to direct trade under European Union supervision. Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman rejected the proposal, calling it unbalanced. Christodoulides has also criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as the ‘great obstacle’ to any settlement, highlighting the ongoing political tensions.

Source: Breitbart