Competitor in Crossfit drowns in the state of Texas
At the 2024 CrossFit Games in Texas, a competitor perishes during a swimming event. The event is temporarily halted, but resumes the following day after consultations with athletes and the deceased's family. Several athletes choose to withdraw from the competition. The CrossFit community is left perturbed, with numerous unanswered questions.
The Games begin with an Aquathlon event, where participants participate in a 3.5-mile run followed by a 800-meter swim in Marine Creek Lake. With spectators worldwide tuning in to view the event via livestream, CrossFit enthusiasts gather at the shore to cheer on their favorites.
At the commencement of the most anticipated yearly event for CrossFit athletes, a call is made to the local authorities at 7 a.m. A participant reportedly drowned during the 800-meter swim within the lake. The medical examiner later identifies the victim as Lazar Dukic, a 28-year-old water polo player who began CrossFit training in 2021. The fittest person in his native Serbia and among the top 50 in Europe, how did one of the top CrossFit athletes succumb to drowning in a Texas lake on August 8?
Ai sad day in CrossFit history
CrossFit embraces gymnastics, sprinting, and weightlifting, continually testing its athletes to their limits. Originating in the mid-1990s, CrossFit has grown into one of the largest fitness chains worldwide, with more than 10,000 gyms operating globally. As reported by Forbes, the company generated an astounding $4 billion in revenue in 2015 while organizing the CrossFit Games.
CEO Don Faul of CrossFit confirmed during a press conference a few hours following the tragedy that an athlete perished during the swimming phase of the CrossFit Games. Faul noted that CrossFit has implemented a comprehensive safety policy for the competition and shared this information with authorities. Regrettably, the remaining events of the first competition day were cancelled. A week later, no official disclosure related to the cause of drowning was released. Faul went on to mention that the law enforcement was currently investigating the event plans and the factors surrounding Dukic's demise.
The CrossFit Games official statement expresses deep concern for the competitors' well-being. "We are overwhelmed with grief over this tragic occurrence," they wrote, later memorializing Dukic's memory as "the most tragic day in the history of the CrossFit sport." The entire CrossFit community grieves the loss of Dukic. "Lazar was one of the most skilled athletes in our sport," they rued.
Footage from ESPN's live stream broadcast, provided by WFAA, depicts the heart-wrenching occurrence. The recording shows a swimmer experiencing difficulties around 100 meters from the finish line during the 800-meter swimming event. Lifeguards on paddleboards are nearby but struggle to assist the swimmer who ultimately submerges under the water without resurfacing.
Cole Learn, a CrossFit athlete from Ontario, Canada, was among the spectators. In an interview with WFAA, Learn recounted his realization that Dukic was in distress, but rescue efforts seemed insufficient. "I feel like at that point, she should have called it and ended the race," said Learn.
Competition recommences the following day
The competition resumed the following day after a tragic accident. Defending champions Jeffrey Adler and Laura Horváth elected to withdraw from the competition, sharing a heartfelt message on Instagram that honored Dukic's memory. The alternative paths proposed for this year's competition did not align with their personal viewpoints. The deceased's brother Luka, also a participant in the 2024 CrossFit Games, expressed his opinions regarding Dukic's death on Instagram, indicating that precautions could have been in place to prevent this incident.
Brent Fikowski, a frequent competitor in the nine Crossfit Games from Canada and head of the Professional Fitness Athletes Association (PFAA), which advocates for stronger safety measures, lately shared a detailed post on Instagram about the PFAA's attempts to gather more details regarding this year's Games' safety guidelines and voicing concerns over the Texan heat.
According to Fikowski, the PFAA allegedly sent emails to Crossfit before the event, expressing concerns about the potential hazards of competing in the sweltering heat outdoors. He expresses disappointment that these concerns were disregarded, referring to the organizers as deaf to their pleas: "They just don't listen."
The Crossfit Games have been held annually since 2007, generally during the summer months. In the past few years, the event has taken place in Madison, Wisconsin. Recently, temperatures in Fort Worth, Texas have soared beyond 35 degrees Celsius.
"I genuinely believe Crossfit doesn't want to endanger anyone, but their claim that 'safety is our top priority' has lost my trust for quite some time," Fikowski laments. He believes that athlete safety is only given secondary consideration, a stance he states has led to disastrous consequences in the past.
The heat wave in Texas during the CrossFit Games was particularly intense, with temperatures soaring beyond 35 degrees Celsius. This harsh weather condition might have contributed to the challenging swimming conditions that led to Lazar Dukic's unfortunate demise during the Aquathlon event.
