Outrage over tragic death at CrossFit Games as lifeguard speaks out on horrific incident

A former lifeguard has hit out at CrossFit Games for their role in Lazar Dukic’s death while taking part in a swimming event in Texas.

The Serbian athlete, 28, disappeared in the water during the swimming leg of a live-streamed event while competing on Marine Creek Lake near Fort Worth on Thursday. A body was later recovered and identified as Dukic.

Harrowing footage has since been uploaded to social media during a part in the live stream when one of the athletes appears to be seen struggling to keep their head above water in the background not far from the finish line while two paddleboarders remained nearby the visibly distressed swimmer.

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One user on X slammed the organizers and lifeguards for failing to spot Dukic struggling in the water, saying that those negligent should be punished. “I was a lifeguard while in HS. For 3 years I guarded at a local pond,” the tweet said. “You have no idea how incensed I am watching this video where there is a clear active drowning victim. This should result in lawsuits and jail time for the people responsible.”

The same user also added: “It takes me seconds to recognize this. Where were the lifeguards? Where were the other competitors? Where were the event organizer? The safety boats? There had better be names of the people accountable for this absolute miscarriage of water safety standards”.

Other accounts began commenting on the footage and reacting to Dukic’s death, with many taking aim at the baffling decision to take the 800-meter swimming leg after a 3.5-mile run in the Texas heat. “If nothing else, putting the swim as the last event is sheer recklessness. There’s a reason ALL triathlons start with the swim,” a second user furiously wrote.

"I was a lifeguard at a lake summer camp and agree. It’s very obvious he’s in distress. How was there nobody watching or how did they miss this. I love CrossFit and love watching the games but this looks to be negligent to me.” another outraged account added.

The remaining events on Thursday were canceled with organizers saying they were “fully cooperating with authorities”. A GoFundMe was set up to support Dukic’s family which initially had a target of $200,000. At the time of writing, donations have topped $280,000.

According to the fundraising page, Dukic made his CrossFit debut in 2021 after being introduced to the sport by his brother Luka. He was ranked as Serbia’s third best CrossFit athlete this year and ranked 88th worldwide in the male category.

CrossFit’s organizers paid tribute to Dukic, saying: “Lazar was one of our sport's most talented competitors, but was much more than an athlete. He was a son, a brother, and a friend to practically everyone who knew him. Fiercely competitive, incurably joyful and uncommonly kind, Lazar was the sun of any room he was in. The loss of his light is inconceivable.”