How Did Lazar Dukic Drown: CrossFit Athlete's Tragic Incident Explained

Details of the incident

• Event and location: Lazar Dukic drowned during the swimming portion of the 2024 CrossFit Games held in Marine Creek Lake, Fort Worth, Texas, highlighting how the CrossFit athlete drowned during the swim event

• Timing: The Lazar Dukic drowning at the CrossFit Games occurred on August 8, 2024, during the opening event of the competition

• Last sighting: Dukic was last seen struggling to swim towards the finish line, approximately 100m from the end of the 800m swim event, providing insight into how Lazar Dukic drowned

• Prior activity: Before the swim, athletes had completed a 3.5-mile run, which may have contributed to fatigue and potentially influenced how Lazar Dukic drowned

• Recovery: Dukic's body was recovered from Marine Creek Lake about an hour after the first diver entered the water, concluding the search for the drowned CrossFit athlete

Athlete background

• Experience: Dukic was a four-time CrossFit Games athlete who had won the 2024 Europe Semifinal before the tragic drowning incident

• Rankings: At the time of the Lazar Dukic drowning at the CrossFit Games, he was ranked 88th worldwide, 33rd in Europe, and 3rd in Serbia in the male category

• Career highlights: Dukic had made his CrossFit Games debut in 2020 and finished in the top 10 at the 2021 CrossFit Games, showcasing his skill before the unfortunate drowning

Aftermath and response

• Event suspension: CrossFit suspended the remainder of the day's events following Dukic's death, responding to how Lazar Dukic drowned during the competition

• Investigation: CrossFit CEO Don Faul stated that a fully planned and documented safety plan was in place, but details would be part of an ongoing investigation into how the CrossFit athlete drowned during the swim event

• Safety measures: Following the Lazar Dukic drowning incident at the CrossFit Games, CrossFit prohibited licensed events from programming swim events until further notice due to water safety concerns

• Community support: A GoFundMe campaign was created to support Dukic's loved ones, raising $339,590 of its $200,000 goal as of August 9, 2024, in response to the tragic drowning of the CrossFit athlete

FAQ

How did Lazar Dukic drown?

Lazar Dukic drowned during the 800m swim event at the 2024 CrossFit Games in Marine Creek Lake, Fort Worth, Texas. He was last seen struggling about 100m from the finish line after completing a 3.5-mile run prior to the swim.

What happened at the CrossFit Games when Lazar Dukic drowned?

The Lazar Dukic drowning at the CrossFit Games occurred on August 8, 2024, during the opening event of the competition. After the incident, CrossFit suspended the remainder of the day's events and launched an investigation into the tragedy.

Was Lazar Dukic an experienced CrossFit athlete?

Yes, Lazar Dukic was a four-time CrossFit Games athlete who had won the 2024 Europe Semifinal. He was ranked 88th worldwide, 33rd in Europe, and 3rd in Serbia in the male category at the time of his death.

What safety measures were in place when the CrossFit athlete drowned during the swim event?

CrossFit CEO Don Faul stated that a fully planned and documented safety plan was in place. However, following the incident, CrossFit prohibited licensed events from programming swim events until further notice due to water safety concerns.

How has the CrossFit community responded to Lazar Dukic's drowning?

The CrossFit community has shown strong support following the tragic incident. A GoFundMe campaign was created to support Dukic's loved ones, raising $339,590 of its $200,000 goal as of August 9, 2024, demonstrating the community's solidarity in the wake of the athlete's death.