A CrossFit athlete reportedly drowned during a livestream that was being watched by spectators and competitors.
Lazar Đukić, 28, took part in the 800-metre swim at the CrossFit Games in Fort Worth’s Marine Creek Lake, near Dallas, around 8AM on Thursday (August 8).
According to Sky News, the 28-year-old was last seen about 100 meters from the end of the 800-meter swim segment when tragedy struck.
The swim followed a 3.5-mile run, and it was only as other athletes exited the water to cross the finish line that organizers realized Lazar had not finished.
An emergency service official revealed that dive teams and drones were called to assist police with a “participant in the water that was down and hadn’t been seen in some point in time," per the outlet.
Barbell Spin also added on Instagram: "It is our understanding that Lazar never crossed the finish line and search parties are in Marine Creek Lake looking for him.”
Distressing videos of the swimming event uploaded to social media appear to show an unidentified man struggling to swim during the race and bobbing in the water until he goes under.
Upon watching the footage, many people have raised questions on how nobody saw the athlete struggling in the water when he was "fifty meters" away from the finish line.
"There must have been scouts out there looking for something like this? tragic but also negligence on the part of the organizers and the rescue teams," one person wrote.
However, another clip from the event shows someone seemingly jumping into the lake to save the person drowning.
First responders pulled a body out of Marine Creek Lake on Thursday and put it in a body bag around 10AM, as reported by CBS News Texas.
The Tarrant County medical examiner’s office identified the body as Đukić’s but has not yet officially listed the late athlete’s cause of death.
In a statement shared online, organizers of the event confirmed that an athlete had died but did not name Đukić.
“CrossFit is deeply saddened by the death of a CrossFit Games competitor during the swimming portion of Individual Event 1 at the 2024 CrossFit Games,” they said “We are fully cooperating with authorities and doing everything we can to support the family at this time."
“The remainder of today’s events have been suspended. The well-being of the competitors is our first priority, and we are heartbroken by this tragic event," they concluded.
Đukić, who is from Serbia, has competed in CrossFit Games for several years. He’s ranked 88th worldwide in the male category, 33rd in Europe, and 3rd in his country, per Metro.
A GoFundMe has been set up by his longtime partners and sponsors. As of this writing, $265,550 has been raised - exceeding the $200,000 target.
"Known for his kindness, humor, and supportive nature, Lazar brought a breath of fresh air wherever he went. Beyond his athletic achievements, Lazar was caring, humorous, and relentlessly supported those around him. His warm, supportive nature and quick wit left a lasting impression on everyone he met," the page read.
"After years of passionately playing water polo in his home country Serbia, his debut at the 2021 CrossFit Games highlighted the start of a remarkable career. He shared a special bond with his brother Luka, introducing him to CrossFit and guiding him along the way," they said,
"To his girlfriend Anja, brother Luka, friends, and family, we extend our deepest condolences. Lazar's legacy of approaching life with kindness and humor will always be remembered," they added.
Our thoughts are with Đukić's loved ones at this devastating time.
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