Tragedy at the 2024 CrossFit Games held in Texas, as one of the participating athletes died during the swimming competition. 28-year-old Lazar Dukic from Serbia breathed his last in the match.
About 100 meters before the end of the 800-meter swim at Marine Creek Lake, Dukic began to choke. And without being given any help when he started having trouble swimming.
How the accident happened and what happened next
Lazar was racing at Marine Creek Lake near Fort Worth on Thursday morning. Suddenly and just before the finish line, he disappeared underwater and never resurfaced, Fort Worth emergency officials said.
Whilst everyone is watching Tia race for the finish. Including it appears the @CrossFitGames safety team. lazar dukic is left to drown with apparantely spectators being turned away from attempting a rescue. #Lazar #LazarDukic #FortWorth #CrossfitGames pic.twitter.com/jsE71RQF9r
— Diverbuzz (@diverbuzz) August 8, 2024
One of the spectators tried to help him. But a rescuer on a paddle board pulled him away from the scene, apparently unaware of what had happened.
The fact that the lifeguards apparently did not realize the danger the 28-year-old was facing raises questions about the organization’s responsibilities, with the responsible company responding that it follows strict safety rules.
If you look to the far right you can see what looks to be a spectator jump in the water. Hearing Lazar is still missing. Hope everybody’s okay, scary stuff. #crossfit #crossfitgames #runswim pic.twitter.com/WbnNnsCphO
— Cameron Hogg (@Camhogg70) August 8, 2024
Emergency services were called at around 08:00 local time (14:00 BST) to collect the man’s body. The lifeless body of the unfortunate Serbian athlete was found an hour after the arrival of the first divers in the area.
The search for Dukic’s body involved a dive team from the Fort Worth Police Department as well as drones, CBS News reported, citing local officials.
Lazar Dukic gasped for air and appeared to drown before the finish line. It’s messed up that Crossfit Games didn’t have lifeguards on jet skis. A spectator jumped in to help but was turned away by a lifeguard on a paddle board. Heartbroken. @CrossFitGames #crossfitgames pic.twitter.com/GPIAGJ9cwD
— R0WLLER (@R0WLLER) August 8, 2024
The games were postponed on the Thursday when the tragic incident took place, and will resume today, Friday.
Later, the organizing authority proceeded with a post on social media, stating among other things that it is cooperating with the authorities and doing everything it can to support the family of the deceased, as well as that the rest of the day’s competitions are postponed.
— The CrossFit Games (@CrossFitGames) August 8, 2024
However, many people comment negatively on the fact that, for the first time in such an event, the choice was made for swimming to be the last event and to be preceded by cycling and running.
The reactions
Videos have surfaced online showing Dukic’s final moments in the water as he struggles to stay afloat.
The games announcement reads: “We are devastated by the death of Lazar Dukic. Our hearts go out to all of Lazar’s family, friends and teammates. Out of respect for the family and in cooperation with the Fort Worth Police Department, we will share any information about the incident when possible.”
CrossFit CEO Don Faul said Dukic was a “beloved and respected” member of their community.
“There are a lot of people in the community who are hurting right now,” he said. While he added that “many people are grieving. We want to do everything we can to support the community, support the family.”
At the same time he noted that there was a “fully documented security plan” and that security personnel were on site throughout the event.
According to Dukic’s biography on the event’s website, the Serb was the No. 3 athlete in the event in his country and No. 88 in the world rankings.
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