Athlete Tragically Dies During Texas Cross Fit Competition

On Thursday morning, tragedy struck the CrossFit Games in Fort Worth when 28-year-old drowned during the swim portion of the competition at Marine Creek Lake.

ATHLETE DISAPPEARS IN WATER

Lazar Dukic from Serbia was pronounced dead at 10:24 a.m., according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office.

Eyewitness Cole Learn, a CrossFit athlete from Ontario, recounted the harrowing moments he witnessed from the shore. Learn described Dukic struggling to keep his head above water before disappearing beneath the surface. Despite the presence of safety personnel, Dukic could not be rescued in time.

The Fort Worth Fire Department responded around 8 a.m., and video footage later showed emergency responders retrieving Dukic's body from the lake.

EVENT CANCELLED FOR THE DAY

The incident led to the immediate cancellation of Thursday's events, with CrossFit officials and law enforcement investigating the circumstances surrounding the drowning. CrossFit CEO Don Faul expressed deep sorrow and emphasized the organization's commitment to a thorough review of the event's safety protocols.

After heavy deliberation and meeting with the family of Dukic as well as participating athletes, the competition has made an announcement:

"After careful thought and many conversations internally, with athletes, and with Lazar Dukic's family, it’s been decided that the CrossFit Games will continue throughout the remainder of the weekend at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas," the statement read.

A special tribute will be held Friday morning before Crossfit games continue, to honor Lazar Dukic.

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Dukic's family during this difficult time.