The beginning of the CrossFit Games 2024 did not have the expected start. This Thursday, on the opening day, the contest suffered a tragedy. The Serbian Lazar Dukic died while competing in the competition.
The athlete’s death occurred at Lake Fort Worth, where the first event of the competition was taking place.
As the second part of the 800-meter mixed event was underway, the television broadcast managed to capture the moment. Dukic suffered a cardiac arrest while in the water, in full view of everyone. No one noticed how he was fighting for his life and doing everything he could to stay afloat, something he could not sustain for so long.Meanwhile, the athletes continued competing and passing by.
This was confirmed by the organization itself. “CrossFit is deeply saddened by the death of a competitor during the Individual Event 1 swimming event at the 2024 CrossFit Games. Our hearts go out to Lazar’s entire family, friends and fellow athletes.“, they said in an official statement released through their social networks.
“We are fully cooperating with the authorities and doing everything we can to support the family at this time,” they continued in the statement announcing Dukic’s death.
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Dukic, 28, was ranked third in his country in the discipline and number 88 in the world. He was an athlete with a present and a future.
The Serbian completed the first half of the race, which consisted of a run, without any problems. In the second half, when he was one of the best placed, he suffered a cardiac arrest in the middle of the water. He was just 100 meters from leaving the lake, but he stopped and was unable to stay afloat.
Dukic’s team informed the organization of what had happened, which assigned an emergency team to work in the area. They deployed divers who, minutes later, managed to find the athlete’s lifeless body. He was recovered and taken out of the water.
The organization that organizes the competition held at Marine Creek Lake, in the Texas city of Fort Worth, decided to cancel the subsequent tests. “The well-being of the competitors is our first priority and we are heartbroken by this tragic event,” they said.
