Lazar Đukić disappeared during a live stream of the CrossFit Games in Fort Worth, Texas, with first responders appearing to have pulled a body out of Marine Creek Lake . It is unclear if the body pulled from the lake is Đukić.
During the 800-meter swim segment of the CrossFit Games, it appeared as if cameras live streaming the event spotted Đukić gasping for air about 100 meters from the finish line, per Metro . After the other athletes crossed the finish line organizers realized that the Serbian was missing among those that finished.
The swim segment followed a 3.5-mile run. Overall, the swim segment and the run were the first of the day, with the team event scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. local time, though that has been canceled as responders looked for the missing Serbian athlete.
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Around 10 a.m. local time, responders appeared to find a body and pulled it out of the water, with CBS News Texas showing the discovery. Other competitors were spotted looking over the water as the emergency personnel searched the lake to look for any signs of the missing Đukić.
On Instagram, the official CrossFit Games account released a statement on the incident, confirming that an athlete died and with further updates on the way. "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," the statement began.
"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 competitors is our first priority and we are heartbroken by this tragic event."
Fellow CrossFit Games competitor Cole Learn posted a heartbreaking update on his Instagram page. In the video, a clearly distraught Learn explained what happened from his point of view and the lack of attention from those around the incident.
"For anyone asking for updates from the CrossFit Games, we watched Lazar go under and we screamed for some lifeguards," he said. "We were pretty far away so it was tough to do anything else. But we were yelling for lifeguards and unfortunately they couldn't hear us and he just never came back up.
"I am absolutely devastated. That was not something that I wanted to watch. So, just if you're messaging me, I'm not going to message anybody back."
Many fans on social media have hit out on the CrossFit Games' lack of action regarding the incident. "So so so heart breaking Lazar Dukic .. @CrossFitGames @CrossFit you have blood on your hands.. how could you miss a guy drowning [so] close to finish line.. heart broken. Shattered," a fan wrote.
Another fan shared the same sentiment, posting: "Gross negligence by CrossFit HQ. There is a reason swimming is first in triathlons. Only two paddle boarders who ignored people telling them a swimmer went under.
"Sickening. I'm done with the games. Hope CrossFit gets sued out of existence. Praying for Lazar Dukic's family."
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