Serbian athlete Lazar Dukic has died after participating in a swimming event at the CrossFit Games in Texas, the event’s organizers have confirmed.
The 28-year-old Dukic disappeared into the water on Thursday morning during a live broadcast of the competition, while he was exercising at Marine Creek Lake, near the city of Fort Worth in Texas.
According to Metro, he was last seen about 100 yards from the end of the 800-meter swim in Fort Worth, Texas.
After his team alerted organizers that he never got out of the water, emergency services were called.
A body was found an hour later. The Tarrant County coroner has not yet released a cause of death.
Lazar Dukic, from Serbia, 28, died during a CrossFit Games swimming competition on Thursday, August 8, 2024 in a lake in Texas
Fort Worth Fire Department responded to a possible drowning at Marine Creek Lake Thursday morning during a CrossFit Games event
Dukic, 28, disappeared into the water during a live stream of the games while playing on Marine Creek Lake near the city of Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday morning
According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Thursday’s event consisted of a 3.5-mile run followed by an 800-meter swim.
The newspaper said an estimated 10,000 people in the region attended the games, which began on Thursday and were scheduled to last until Sunday.
Kaitlin Pritchard told the newspaper that she was at the finish line when she saw Dukic approaching. She said he was one of several swimmers she had noticed who had changed their swimming patterns, which she attributed to them being tired from the run.
Pritchard saw people on paddleboards on the lake, who she assumed were lifeguards, but she didn’t realize anyone jumped in to rescue anyone, she said.
A statement from the Games organizers said: “We are shocked to learn of the passing of Lazar Dukic.
‘Our condolences go out to Lazar’s entire family, friends and fellow athletes.
“Out of respect for the family and in cooperation with the Fort Worth Police Department, we will share updates as we are able.”
The event’s organizers also paid tribute to Dukic, saying: “Lazar was one of our sport’s most talented competitors, but he was much more than an athlete. He was a son, a brother and a friend to virtually everyone who knew him. Fiercely competitive, incurably cheerful and uncommonly kind, Lazar was the sunshine of every room he was in. The loss of his light is unthinkable.”
Thursday’s remaining events were suspended and organizers said they were “fully cooperating with authorities,” according to a separate statement.
Dukic made his CrossFit debut in 2021 after being introduced to the sport by his brother Luka
According to the CrossFit website, Dukic was named the third best CrossFit athlete in Serbia this year
Videos posted to social media appear to show a man struggling to swim during the race and floating in the water until he sinks.
A video shows that a man indeed jumps into the water to save the drowning person.
Don Faul, CEO of CrossFit, said at a press conference, “There are a lot of people in the community who are struggling right now.
“A lot of people are grieving. We want to do whatever we can to support the community, to support the family.”
He also said there was a “fully documented security plan” and that security personnel were on site throughout the event.
Dukic made his CrossFit debut in 2021
A GoFundMe to support Dukic’s family, which started with a goal of $200,000, has already raised $264,425.
According to the fundraising website, Dukic made his CrossFit debut in 2021 after his brother Luka introduced him to the sport.
According to the CrossFit website, Dukic was named the third best CrossFit athlete in Serbia this year. He is also ranked 88th worldwide in the male category.
Dukic had said he hoped to be on the podium this season.
CrossFit Games is an annual sporting competition in which athletes participate in various events, including cardio training, weightlifting, swimming and cycling.