An athlete participating in a CrossFit competition in Texas tragically drowned in a swimming event at a Fort Worth lake on Thursday morning. Reports indicate that Lazar Đukić, a 28-year-old CrossFit champion, lost his life at Marine Creek Lake during the 2024 CrossFit Games. The event, known as the „definitive test of fitness,“ attracts elite athletes from around the world to compete for the title of „Fittest on Earth“ by completing a series of physical challenges.
The 2024 CrossFit Games officially began with Đukić and other athletes participating in the „Lake Day“ event, which required them to complete three rounds of activities. Đukić had already finished a 3.5 mile run and was swimming across the lake when he encountered difficulties and tragically drowned just moments before reaching the finish line.
Authorities, including the Fort Worth Police Department and the Fort Worth Fire Department, responded to the scene after a 911 call reported a missing competitor at Marine Creek Lake. Firefighters conducted a search and rescue operation, ultimately recovering Đukić’s body approximately an hour after the initial call.
During a press conference, Craig Trojacek, a Fort Worth Fire spokesperson, expressed condolences to the athlete’s family, the CrossFit community, and the Fort Worth community. Don Faul, CEO of the CrossFit Games, addressed safety protocols and emphasized the organization’s cooperation with authorities in the investigation of the incident.
CrossFit Games issued a statement on social media expressing deep sadness over the loss of a competitor during the swimming portion of the event. All scheduled games for the day were canceled, and the organization stated that the well-being of competitors is their top priority. It remains unclear if the games will continue as planned in light of the tragic event.
As details continue to emerge, the CrossFit community and fans of the sport mourn the loss of Lazar Đukić, a talented athlete who dedicated himself to the pursuit of fitness excellence. The impact of this tragedy serves as a reminder of the inherent risks associated with competitive sports and the importance of prioritizing safety measures in all athletic events.