A tragic incident occurred during the CrossFit Games in Texas, where Serbian athlete Lazar Dukic, 28, lost his life while participating in a swim event. The incident took place on Thursday morning at Marine Creek Lake, near Fort Worth. Dukic disappeared under the water during the swim and, despite efforts by emergency services, his body was recovered approximately an hour later.
The event, which included a 3.5-mile run followed by an 800-meter swim, was part of the annual CrossFit Games competition. Emergency services, including a dive team and drones from the Fort Worth Police Department, were deployed to search for Dukic.
In response to the incident, the CrossFit Games organizers suspended the remainder of Thursday’s events and issued a statement expressing their devastation. “We are devastated by the passing of Lazar Dukic. Our hearts are with Lazar’s entire family, friends, and fellow athletes,” the statement read. The organizers also confirmed that they are fully cooperating with authorities.
CrossFit CEO Don Faul described Dukic as a “loved and respected” member of the fitness community, noting that many people are mourning his loss. He assured that a “fully documented safety plan” was in place for the event and that safety personnel were on site throughout.
A crowdfunding campaign launched to support Dukic’s family has already surpassed its initial goal of $200,000, reflecting the impact Dukic had on the community. The campaign page highlighted Dukic’s kindness, humor, and supportive nature, qualities that endeared him to many.
Dukic was a prominent figure in the CrossFit community, having debuted in the CrossFit Games in 2021 after a career in water polo in Serbia. He was ranked as Serbia’s number one CrossFit athlete from 2017 to 2021 and continued to excel in the sport.
The CrossFit Games is an annual competition that challenges athletes across various disciplines, with participants often learning the specifics of each event just before it begins. This year’s competition was scheduled to conclude on Sunday.
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