CrossFit Games: Lazar Dukic drowns in Fort Worth lake during swimming event

FORT WORTH, Texas - An athlete drowned during a CrossFit Games competition at Marine Creek Lake in Fort Worth on Thursday morning.

The athlete was later identified by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner as 28-year-old Lazar Dukic from Serbia.

Events for Thursday were canceled.  The schedule beyond Thursday is unclear at this point.

The distress call went out around 8 a.m. when Dukic, who was swimming with a pack of competitors, vanished near the finish line. An investigation is underway.

"We're doing everything in our power. During this tragic time to support the family, to support our community. We are collaborating and working very closely with the authorities on the follow on investigation," said Don Faul, the CEO of CrossFit.

Dokic was taking part in a run swim event, which included a 3.5-mile run followed by an 800-meter swim.

Before the event began, Dukic posted photos of himself on social media, expressing his eagerness to compete.

"I recall seeing him in the warm-up area along with all the other athlete at about 6:30 in the morning," said CrossFit enthusiast Kaitlin Pritchard who attended the event. "They took off like a cannon, like I expected. It was a 3 and half mile run. I think most of them did it in under 30 minutes, which is incredibly fast on a hot day."

She says during the swimming portion she could see Dukic struggle, but it did not appear to be an emergency. 

In addition to watching from the lake, she also livestreamed it on her phone.

"There were several of them, him included, who looked like they were struggling a little bit with the swim, which is not that uncommon," Pritchard said. "When they showed him it wasn’t super obvious at that time, there were just certain athletes changing up how they were swimming. Some of them were kind of bobbing, and you could just tell they were tired."

Moments later, Pritchard and other spectators were asked to leave the area due to an unspecified incident.

"We are fully cooperating with authorities and doing everything we can to support the family at this time," read a statement from The CrossFit Games. "The well-being of competitors is our first priority and we are heartbroken by this tragic event."

Police and fire were called to the area at 8. The body was recovered around 10.

"Our hearts go out to the athlete’s family, friends and the entire CrossFit community. We take pride in being the host city for the CrossFit Games and remain committed to working closely with CrossFit to provide a supportive environment for all athletes spectators and visitors," said Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker in a statement.

Parker said the city has coordinated mental health and grief counselors for athletes, spectators and visitors.

"You just don't think this is going to happen. These are elite athletes," said Pritchard. "To think that 30-ish minutes later one of the fittest people in the world is just gone like that."

CrossFit Games

The CrossFit Games is being held in Fort Worth, Texas for the first time.

During the four-day games, competitors from 33 countries compete in various workouts for the title "Fittest on Earth."

The four-day event was set to take place at Dickies Arena and other areas in and around Fort Worth.

Lazar Dukic

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner identified the victim in Thursday's drowning as Lazar Dukic.

Dukic, a 28-year-old from Serbia, had finished in the Top 10 of the CrossFit Games each of the last three years, according to the CrossFit Games website.

Dukic posted several photos on social media of himself talking about the event and preparing for the games in Fort Worth.

Social media posts show Dukic's brother Luka is also in Fort Worth to compete in the games.