Lazar Dukic, a competitor in the CrossFit Games, tragically passed away after participating in a swimming event at Marine Creek Lake in Fort Worth, Texas.
The 28-year-old athlete was described as a talented water polo player and a driven athlete by his colleague and friend, Gijs Spaans.
The competition started with a 3.5-mile run and an 800-metre swim, but Dukic did not emerge from the water with the other athletes.
Emergency services were called, and his body was recovered by dive teams. The cause of his death has not been determined.
Dukic, who had previously competed in the CrossFit Games for four years and won the 2024 Europe Semifinal, was ranked 88th worldwide.
His sponsors and partners have launched a GoFundMe to support his family, describing him as kind, humorous, and supportive.
The CrossFit community has been deeply impacted by Dukic’s death, with the rest of Thursday’s events being canceled.
CrossFit’s chief executive, Don Faul, expressed support for Dukic’s family and the community during this tragic time.
The CrossFit Games, which began in 2007, are designed to find the “Fittest on Earth” through a series of intense sports competitions including track and field, gymnastics, weightlifting, and more.
Only a limited number of athletes are invited to participate each year, either as individuals or as part of a team.
