CEO of CrossFit said athlete died Thursday during swim 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.

[bigboy]

Dude needs to go to prison for slack drills and slack lifeguards !! Disgusting

[shirohige]

They forced the athletes to take the V in 2021 didn't they?

[gabbie]

They are supposed to keep the swimmers safe. They let this man and his family down, very sad. They need to re-evaluate their safety measures before continuing on like nothing ever happened smh.

[tq]

This tragedy can probably be traced back to money. Think about it.

[soupistasty]

How will they even move on, to continue the Games tomorrow?! I understand with 80 individual athletes, all the team athletes plus hundreds of support staff & volunteers it's actually impossible to delay or reschedule - but still. In what way can the Games just continue on Saturday n' Sunday, like nothing happened? What an impossible situation for everyone involved. Immensely sad right now, especially for the poor athlete's dear loved ones. Tragic!

[Keno_psia]

Zero precautions, that was the least thing we were expecting

[cathiethomson]

Why aren’t these swimmers wearing a swim buoy?

[equilateraltraining]

Total negligence. Watching the video it is so obvious that this could have been prevented. And going ahead with the games is so messed up. I worked with Lazar he was a real person with a real life if you want to mourn shut your profit making event down. This is on the organization and there should be legal action!

[ajunielpe]

Horribly sad sad events. Beyond words. Prayers go out to his family.

[Just_Futzing_Around]

Was there not at LEAST ONE lifeguard on standby via Jet

[barbararhymes]

Prayers for strength, comfort, and peace.

[shannonphillips]

No one find it wierd how its is possible for a cross fit atlete magically drowns swimming??? Come on folks he waa silenced for a. Reason

[joesph]

This also happens in Ironman events unfortunately. There is a lot of chaos in the water, it is hard to see the individual competitors and it happens quickly. It’s not like the movies where you see a lot of panicking, often the athlete just goes under quietly. It can happen to even experienced swimmers. I do agree that swim buoys should be required. So sad, wish the family well.

[ashleytaylor]

So so so shocking and very very sad 💔💔💔💔💔💔

[chuster]

How this can happened? It is just crazy

[rollyherrera]

Sorry, but this dude was trying to cry? Faker....

[jacobc]

You don't put fatigued athletes in open water

[calicia]

How is possible that other competitors did not figure out he was facing troubles? why nobody helped him? This will remain in their conscious forever... I bet more than one saw him, but no one wanted to leave the competition to save him. Swimming competition should not exist outdoor, is very dangerous, so many people in water is not easy to control, I am so sorry for this athlete... is not fair!!!! I will never watch Crossfit games again

[Munted]

Swim for time, as many metres till u run out of air

[equilateraltraining]

Total negligence. Watching the video it is so obvious that this could have been prevented. And going ahead with the games is so messed up. I worked with Lazar he was a real person with a real life if you want to mourn shut your profit making event down. This is on the organization and there should be legal action!