CrossFit Games will continue in Fort Worth after athlete drowns during swimming portion

FORT WORTH – The CrossFit Games in Fort Worth were expected to continue on Friday after an athlete drowned Thursday morning in Marine Creek Lake.

Lazar Dukic, 28, of Serbia, died during the swimming portion of individual event No. 1 at the 2024 CrossFit Games, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office and CrossFit CEO Don Faul.

The Fort Worth Fire Department was called to help Fort Worth police after the athlete went underwater around 8 a.m. and didn’t come up, according to Craig Trojacek, a fire department spokesperson. With assistance from the Fort Worth Police Department dive team and drones, the body was recovered about an hour later, Trojacek said.

Faul said the rest of Thursday’s events and activities were canceled. But the Games, which kicked off on Thursday, will start again on Friday and continue through Sunday. 

“After careful thought and many conversations internally, with athletes, and with Lazar Đukić’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,” a message from the organization’s PR firm states.

Friday’s events will begin with a special tribute honoring Dukic at Dickies Arena at 10 a.m. 

CrossFit said on social media Thursday it was heartbroken by the tragic event and was doing everything it could to support the family. 

Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker said the city has coordinated mental health and grief counselors to support those who might need it.

“We are profoundly saddened by the tragic loss of a CrossFit athlete during a CrossFit Games swimming event this morning,” Parker said. “Our hearts go out to the athlete’s family, friends, and the entire CrossFit community.”

CBS News Texas’ chopper was over the lake and saw first responders pulling a body out of the water and putting it in a body bag.  A witness recounted the moments surrounding the drowning.

CrossFit is working closely with investigators as the community comes to terms with the athlete’s death.

“There’s a lot of people in the community who are hurting right now that are really sad and knew the athlete well,” Faul said. “They loved and respected this person. A lot of people are mourning. We want to do everything we can to support the community, to support the family.”

A GoFundMe established for Ðukić’s family has raised more than $140,000.  

Meanwhile, Faul said his organization received a permit and certificate of insurance from the Tarrant Regional Water District

“For an event like this, we have a fully documented safety plan,” Faul said. “As you know, we had safety personnel on site throughout the event.”

This is the first time the CrossFit Games were held in Fort Worth. Previous locations include Carson, California, and Madison, Wisconsin.