CrossFit Games Athlete Dies in Drowning Incident During First Day of Competition – GoFundMe

A devastating incident struck the CrossFit community on Thursday as an elite athlete tragically lost his life during the first day of the CrossFit Games in Fort Worth, Texas. Lazar Dukic, a 28-year-old athlete from Serbia, was reported missing during the swim portion of the event at Marine Creek Lake, located near Tarrant County College Northwest’s campus. Despite efforts to rescue him, Dukic was pronounced dead at 10:24 a.m. by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office.

CrossFit executives confirmed the heartbreaking news during a press conference, acknowledging that the drowning occurred during the swim component of the competition’s opening event. “CrossFit is deeply saddened by the death of one of our athletes in the swim portion of our event this morning,” said CrossFit CEO Don Faul. “There’s a lot of people in the community that are hurting right now, that are really sad, that knew the athlete well, that loved and respected this person, and a lot of people are mourning.”

The tragic incident prompted the immediate cancellation of the remaining events scheduled for Thursday, leaving the future of the competition uncertain. Faul noted that officials have yet to decide whether to proceed with the remaining games, which were planned to continue through the weekend.

Lazar Dukic was more than just an elite athlete; he was a beloved friend and mentor known for his kindness, humor, and unwavering support for those around him. His journey in the world of sports began with a passion for water polo in his home country of Serbia before he transitioned to CrossFit, making his debut at the 2021 CrossFit Games. His warm, supportive nature and quick wit left a lasting impression on everyone he met.

Dukic shared a special bond with his brother Luka, whom he introduced to CrossFit, guiding him along the way. He also had a deep connection with his girlfriend Anja, and his loss has deeply affected his close-knit family and the broader fitness community. A GoFundMe account has been created to support his loved ones during this difficult time.

The Fort Worth Fire Department responded to the drowning report around 8 a.m. on Thursday. Video footage from the scene appears to show Fort Worth Fire Rescue retrieving a body from the water and placing it in a bag around 10 a.m. According to Faul, CrossFit had a safety strategy in place, with safety personnel on-site, but all aspects of the incident will be thoroughly reviewed in collaboration with law enforcement.

The tragic incident occurred during a run-swim event, part of the CrossFit Games’ first day of competition. The event, which was open to spectators, took place miles away from the main competition area at Dickies Arena. The sudden halt in the competition also led to an abrupt pause in livestreams on platforms such as ESPN+, Facebook, Twitch, and YouTube.

The CrossFit Games, which bring together the top 40 men and women from seven qualifying tournaments globally, have been a staple in the fitness community since their inception in 2007. This year marked the first time the games were held in Texas, following a relocation from their usual venue in Madison, Wisconsin.

The competition is designed to test athletes’ fitness across various domains, including cardiovascular endurance, stamina, flexibility, power, and coordination. However, the tragic death of Lazar Dukic has cast a shadow over the event, leading to an outpouring of grief from the CrossFit community.

As the investigation into the incident continues, the CrossFit community mourns the loss of a remarkable athlete whose life and legacy will not be forgotten. The decision on whether the remaining events will continue is still pending, as officials and the community come to terms with this profound loss.