The 2024 CrossFit Games took a tragic turn when Serbian athlete Lazar Dukic lost his life during a combined event that involved running and swimming. Dukic went missing while swimming at Marine Creek Lake in Texas, and a body was later recovered from the water, identified as the 28-year-old athlete by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office. The cause of death has not been confirmed, leaving the CrossFit community in shock and mourning.
According to reports by Anabel Ávila, an internet personality who provides news on CrossFit, Dukic disappeared on the opening day of the CrossFit Games while participating in the event that combined running and swimming. Despite being among the event’s leaders and nearing the finish line in the swimming section, Dukic did not complete the race and was seen struggling in the water in live stream clips shared on social media.
Dukic’s team acted swiftly and informed the CrossFit Games’ organizers when he failed to emerge from the water at Marine Creek Lake in northwest Fort Worth. The Fort Worth Fire Department responded to the drowning call, arriving promptly and recovering a body from the water about an hour later. The CrossFit Games confirmed the tragic news of an athlete losing their life during the event, but did not provide further details at the time.
CrossFit CEO Don Faul expressed deep sadness over the loss of the athlete during the swim portion of the event, stating that they are working closely with authorities on the follow-up investigation. Leah Wagner, a spokesperson for the Fort Worth Police Department, mentioned that the athlete’s name would not be released until the Tarrant County Medical Examiner had the opportunity to verify the identity with the family, a process that was completed later on Thursday.
In response to the tragic incident, game organizers made the decision to cancel the remaining events scheduled for the day. It remains uncertain whether the competition, which was set to run until August 11th, will resume in light of the heartbreaking turn of events.
The 2024 CrossFit Games will forever be marked by the tragedy that befell Lazar Dukic, a talented athlete who lost his life while competing in the sport he loved. The CrossFit community mourns the loss of one of its own and stands in solidarity with Dukic’s family and friends during this difficult time.