Tragedy struck the CrossFit Games at Marine Creek Lake in Fort Worth on Thursday morning when 28-year-old Serbian athlete Lazar Đukić drowned during a competition.
Dukic was participating in a run-swim event that included a 3.5-mile run followed by an 800m swim. But he went missing near the finish line around 8 a.m. while swimming with other competitors, according to event organizers. His body was recovered 2 hours later and later identified by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner.
An investigation is already underway. Event organizers said they were “deeply saddened” by Đukić’s death, and initially canceled the remaining competitions scheduled for Friday and the rest of the weekend. But they later decided to move forward with the event anyway, CBS News reported.
According to CrossFit organizers, a special tribute would honor Đukić on Friday morning before continuing with the event.
But some athletes and observers have questioned why the event is continuing — and how safety measures failed to prevent it. The event was live-streamed, and video appears to show Đukić struggling as he nears the finish line.
Editor’s note: This video contains scenes of Đukić struggling in the water that may be disturbing.
Questions About Event’s Safety Measures
Before arriving in Fort Worth, Đukić had shared his excitement about the competition on social media. The Serbian athlete was the Europe Semifinal champion and the three-time Semifinals King of Europe. His performance at this year’s Europe Semifinal earned him a fourth ticket to the 2024 CrossFit Games.
“It’s the only thing I’m good at, so why not just do it?” Đukić said in a tribute video posted to Instagram on Friday.
As tributes to the athlete began pouring in on social media, questions began circulating about how Đukić could have died while participating in a highly managed event.
CrossFit CEO Dan Faul said his organization had created a safety plan that involved safety personnel on-site during the event. But CrossFit has not yet released details on that plan, The Associated Press reported.
A dive team from the Fort Worth Fire Department responded to an 8 a.m. call Friday morning, a spokesman told GearJunkie. They arrived on scene by 8:26 a.m., but it was too late to help Đukić. CrossFit had a team of lifeguards and medical personnel on site, department spokesman Craig Trojacek said, but no one from the city’s fire department.
“We were not asked to be there on standby,” Trojacek said. “That’s dependent on the host of the event and what their ask is.”
In an Instagram post, fellow CrossFit athlete Chandler Smith questioned the organization’s decision to move forward with the competition in the wake of Đukić’s death.
“In the immediate aftermath of all this I’m very frustrated,” Smith wrote. “Army risk assessment worksheets have made me very cautious around the water so it’s disappointing when something that feels this avoidable occurs.”
Help for Đukić’s Family
Đukić’s family created a GoFundMe campaign to help support his loved ones during this difficult time. As of Friday morning, the campaign had already raised over $280,000 of an initial goal of $200,000.
“To his girlfriend Anja, brother Luka, friends and family, we extend our deepest condolences,” said the campaign, which was organized by Đukić’s sponsors FITAID and GOWOD. “Lazar’s legacy of approaching life with kindness and humor will always be remembered.”
A statement from the City of Fort Worth said it would provide support to Đukić’s family, friends and the CrossFit community.
“We have coordinated mental health and grief counselors to support those in need during this difficult time,” Mayor Mattie Parker said in the joint statement with the city’s tourism department.
As the news of Đukić’s death spread across social media Friday, many observers continue to question how it happened.
