CrossFit Games drowning | Witnesses describe man who died in swimming event

A CrossFit Games athlete died after a reported drowning in a Fort Worth lake on August 8, 2024, during the first day of competition in the multi-day event, officials said.

CrossFit officials in a news conference confirmed that a CrossFit athlete drowned in the swim portion of the CrossFit Game's first event. The event was held at Marine Creek Lake, near the Tarrant County College Northwest campus.

The victim was identified as Lazar Dukic, 28, of Serbia, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office. Dukic was pronounced dead at 10:24 a.m., the medical examiner records said.

A cause of the death was not initially listed Thursday afternoon.

The rest of the CrossFit Games events were canceled for Thursday. Officials have not decided whether they will cancel the remainder of the games, which are scheduled to run through the weekend, CrossFit CEO Don Faul said at the news conference.

“CrossFit is deeply saddened by the death of one of our athletes in the swim portion of our event this morning … We are collaborating, we are working very closely with the authorities with the follow-up investigation,” Faul said.

Cole Learn, a CrossFit athlete from Ontario, Canada witnessed the drowning from the shore of the lake Thursday morning.

"Absolutely devastated, not sure what to think, and almost in denial," Learn said.

[plmn]

Was that lifeguard even qualified to be there? Sounds like she had no clue what to do and as a result didn't do anything. That's downright criminal. You can't trust anybody but yourself to keep yourself safe these days, it seems. Incompetence is everywhere.

[leysabandal]

I am looking for an interview with the lifeguards. WHY DID THEY NOT DO THEIR JOB?! Can we start a manhunt?!

[MarcelaMoraP]

“so you came all the way down here just to talk to me” and that second girl didn’t had anything meaningful to say to the event that happened…
She just tries to make it all look ok and all fine…
That first guys testimony is so important for his family when CrossFit and that incapable lifeguard lady gets sued big time!!!

[memjay]

Cramps happen. Idiots who ran this event take it lightly.

[therose]

How does this happen at an “organized” event?

[felipeg.g.]

Just thinking about how it could have been prevented upsets me. The lifeguards were not guarding life, they should have listened to the witnesses!

[pedrolozano]

Tragic. This should have never happened. The crossfit organization failed big this event.
Praying for his family.

[Vinorama.]

The lifeguard did a quick look and then went back to the shore. And did not stop the game.

[anaherakingi]

This is absolutely sad I can't believe the life guard did nothing 😭

[stevebausch]

How many CrossFit locations have a swimming pool?

[Livi-c]

The simple fact is that CF didn’t have the proper safety measures for the open water swim. As a diver, if you’re in the water and you get a cramp after running 3 miles and doing other components that require extreme exertion, you fall under the water and can’t get your head above.. you will drown. If any one of those competitors fell under the water it would’ve also taken an hour to get them out?! Really? Just swimming in a group with no dive team prepared to deal with a tired swimmer lol.. this is dumb. If I was a competitor that was in that water my heart would be falling to my stomach knowing if I got tired not a single person would’ve noticed and I would have absolutely drown too.. like.. absolutely not. Being fit is one thing but we aren’t fish. You can’t breathe under water it’s not rocket science

[karenstork]

2:11 So it sounds like finishing the race was more important than this man’s life. And If this is true n I’m sure that it is about the lifeguards actions, ..charges should be pressed against her!!

[matthewsmith]

They should have had paddle boards on both sides of the group and 2 more following from the back, so participants could grab on in case they were tired or "struggling" 😢

[ConcernedCitizenSays]

God, please provide comfort to this man's family and friends.

[anthonyhickman]

Yeah I'm really not comprehending there are dozens of people around (organized event) lifeguards on call and didn't do anything. Blows my mind. Whoever the powers are, they need to look deep into it and make sure nothing like this happens again. 🙏 For everyone involved and especially the family heart goes out 🙏🙏🙏

[colinfletcher]

Remind me again what the lifeguards are for???

[armandoangelreyes]

Witnesses and no one told or went to get help.

[SeamusTaraArlenAelisAgnew]

Mandatory bright coloured caps? Paddle boards close to atheletes to grab onto if in need, watercraft, who organized the swimming section?

[Jinnyjammywhammy]

CROSSFIT IS GUILTY OF GROSS NEGLIGENCE AND WILL BE SUED INTO OBLIVION...hopefully

[walterpalmeri]

why this guy didn't trhow himself in tbe lake to save and not only screaming at the lifeguard