An athlete has tragically died during a swim event at the CrossFit Games in Texas, according to organizers.
Lazar Dukic, a 28-year-old from Serbia, was competing in Marine Creek Lake near Fort Worth when he disappeared beneath the water on Thursday morning.
Emergency services recovered his body about an hour later.
In a statement, the CrossFit Games expressed their sorrow: “We are devastated by the passing of Lazar Dukic. Our hearts are with Lazar’s entire family, friends, and fellow athletes.”
The statement continued, “Out of respect for the family and in cooperation with the Fort Worth Police Department, we will share updates when possible.”
The remaining events for Thursday have been suspended, and organizers are fully cooperating with authorities. The day’s competition included a 3.5-mile run followed by an 800-meter swim.
The search for Dukic’s body involved a dive team from the Fort Worth Police Department and drones, as reported by CBS News.
CrossFit CEO Don Faul described Dukic as a “loved and respected” member of the fitness community. “There’s a lot of people in the community who are hurting right now,” Faul said.
“A lot of people are mourning. We want to do everything we can to support the community, to support the family.”
He also noted that a “fully documented safety plan” was in place with safety personnel present throughout the event.
A crowdfunding campaign to support Dukic’s family, initially targeting $200,000, has already raised over $211,000.
The campaign described Dukic as “known for his kindness, humor, and supportive nature,” and highlighted his career achievements, including being Serbia’s top CrossFit athlete from 2017 to 2021 and third in the country this year.
The CrossFit Games, which began on Thursday and were scheduled to conclude on Sunday, is an annual competition featuring various disciplines with events often announced shortly before they begin.
Source-BBC
