{"id":11338,"date":"2024-08-21T02:28:28","date_gmt":"2024-08-21T02:28:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pulsperry.com\/?p=11338"},"modified":"2024-08-21T02:28:28","modified_gmt":"2024-08-21T02:28:28","slug":"athlete-dies-while-swimming-inches-before-finishing-competition-videos-disturbing-details","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pulsperry.com\/?p=11338","title":{"rendered":"Athlete Dies While Swimming Inches Before Finishing Competition: Videos & Disturbing Details"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Athlete Dies While Swimming Inches Before Finishing Competition: Videos & Disturbing Details<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An athlete who competed in a CrossFit competition tragically drowned during the swimming event. Videos and chilling details have been shared, shedding light on how such a tragedy happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The death of a Serbian athlete has sent shockwaves reverberating through the public. Competing in the Crossfit Games on August 8 in Fort Worth, Texas, the late athlete was mere inches away from the competition finish line when he lost his life as a result of drowning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The CrossFit Games event where the athlete lost his life, posted on August 9, 2024 | Source: YouTube\/FOX 4 Dalla-Fort Worth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to a news outlet, the death happened on the competition\u2019s first day and caused the cancellation of the events for the remainder of the day. Tarrant County Medical Examiner confirmed the identity of the swimmer as Lazar Dukic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Lazar<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lazar Dukic posing for a picture, posted on August 7, 2024 | Source: Instagram\/lazadjukic<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dukic\u2019s drowning occurred on Thursday morning (August 8), in Marine Creek Lake. Authorities shared that at 8 a.m. local time, the Fort Worth Fire Department responded to a distress call concerning a competitor who had gone missing in action (M.I.A.) in the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using dive teams and the help of a drone, first responders then tried to locate Dukic. After about an hour, they had recovered his body from the water. Following this, Dukic\u2019s body was transported to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"First<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

First responders searching for Lazar Dukic, posted on August 9, 2024 | Source: YouTube\/FOX 4 Dalla-Fort Worth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CrossFit CEO Don Faul, who said the organization is cooperating fully with authorities in the investigation, confirmed that safety personnel were on-site during the swimming event. He also expressed how \u201cgutted\u201d he is concerning the incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Police<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Police and authority vehicles on-site at the CrossFit Games, posted on August 9, 2024 | Source: YouTube\/FOX 4 Dalla-Fort Worth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking on the situation, Faul stated, \u201cWe\u2019ll continue to be focused on our community and the family through this tragic set of circumstances. There\u2019s a lot of people in the community that are hurting right now [\u2026] that knew the athlete well, that loved, respected this person. A lot of people are in mourning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A witness who observed what happened on the day Dukic met his demise was interviewed by a WFAA reporter, who asked him what he saw and how he felt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still reeling from the tragedy, the man shared, \u201cWhen it first happened, my heart was racing probably for a couple of hours after. Uhm, absolutely devastated. Not sure what to think, almost in denial.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The witness describing what happened to Lazar Dukic, posted on August 8, 2024 | Source: YouTube\/WFAA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In trying to process what transpired, the man said he had talked to family members and friends for a few hours. \u201cIt\u2019s very tough. I think it\u2019s gonna take a while. Right now, I\u2019ll have moments where I\u2019m ok and then moments where I\u2019ll just break down in tears, just in shock about what actually happened there,\u201d the unnamed witness disclosed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The witness describing what happened to Lazar Dukic, posted on August 8, 2024 | Source: YouTube\/WFAA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the witness didn\u2019t know Dukic all too well, he did clarify that he had gotten to chat with him briefly when the two had stayed at the same hotel for a competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe only thing I remember about him was just how nice he was. He didn\u2019t know who I was but he took the time to talk to me,\u201d mentioned the man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Lazar<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lazar Dukic posing with a giant check at an event, posted on May 21, 2024 | Source: Instagram\/crossfitgames, frenchthrowdown and lazadjukic<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He went on to speak about how devastating it was to watch Dukic\u2019s brother, who was also competing, run up and down the sidelines trying to find Dukic in the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The witness also divulged how he, along with a few other people, had tried to get Dukic, who he said was about 150 meters out in the water, assistance when he was drowning. They shouted out to the lifeguards that he needed help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A snapshot of Marine Creek Lake where Lazar Dukic drowned, posted on August 9, 2024 | Source: YouTube\/FOX 4 Dalla-Fort Worth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to them not doing anything, the witness said that there was a point where somebody else had jumped in to try to save Dukic but one lifeguard told them to get out of the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Lazar<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lazar Dukic competing in an event, posted on May 21, 2024 | Source: Instagram\/crossfitgames, frenchthrowdown and lazadjukic<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The man said that the lifeguard ended up swimming over to where Dukic had gone under, but she simply paddled around the area and got back out of the water. \u201cI feel like, at that point, she needed to blow a whistle and stop the event,\u201d asserted the witness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The swimming event had been live-streamed on an array of platforms. However, ABC affiliate WFAA reported that live streaming halted on Thursday morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"First<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

First responders and authority vehicles on-site at the CrossFit Games, posted on August 9, 2024 | Source: YouTube\/FOX 4 Dalla-Fort Worth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While event live streams are no longer available on CrossFit Games\u2019 platforms, two videos showing snippets of the tragedy have been shared by individuals on X. One comes from a man named Adam Mahler, who said that he used to work as a lifeguard for three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Boats<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Boats on-site at the CrossFit Games, posted on August 9, 2024 | Source: YouTube\/FOX 4 Dalla-Fort Worth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His video displayed athletes swimming in the lake as they pushed on to reach the finish line which was situated outside of the water. Among the various athletes, Dukic can be seen struggling as he tries his best to continue swimming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moments<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Moments from the day Lazar Dukic died during the CrossFit Games, posted on August 9, 2024 | Source: YouTube\/FOX 4 Dalla-Fort Worth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His head bobbed up and down as he struggled to keep it above the water. Eventually, the athlete is completely submerged and does not come back up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expressing his anger and devastation in a message alongside the video, Mahler penned, \u201cYou have no idea how incensed I am watching this video where there is a clear active drowning victim. This should result in lawsuits and jail time for the people responsible. #CrossFit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A snapshot of Marine Creek Lake where Lazar Dukic drowned, posted on August 9, 2024 | Source: YouTube\/FOX 4 Dalla-Fort Worth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A similar video was shared by another person on X. This person\u2019s video showed a closer angle of the moment Dukic\u2019s drowning happened as he zoomed in on the late swimmer fighting for his life in the water, despite being surrounded by two lifeguards on paddleboards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Moments<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Moments from the day Lazar Dukic died during the CrossFit Games, posted on August 9, 2024 | Source: YouTube\/FOX 4 Dalla-Fort Worth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhilst everyone is watching Tia race for the finish. Including it appears the @CrossFitGames safety team. [Lazar Dukic] is left to drown with [apparently] spectators being turned away from attempting a rescue,\u201d wrote the X user in his caption accompanying the video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the tragedy, CrossFit Games took to their X account to speak out about what happened and honor Dukic\u2019s life with a dedication. \u201cToday is the saddest day in @CrossFit history. We are shattered by the loss of Lazar \u0110uki\u0107 along with the entire CrossFit community,\u201d they began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They went on to highlight Dukic as one of the sport\u2019s \u201cmost talented competitors.\u201d More than just a star athlete, Dukic was a beloved brother, son, and friend to many.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CrossFit labeled him as \u201cfiercely competitive, incurably joyful, and uncommonly kind,\u201d before dubbing him as \u201cthe sun of any room he was in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The organization also reiterated how inconceivable the loss is. However, they expressed that they would continue the Games in Dukic\u2019s honor, dedicating the upcoming weekend\u2019s events in his name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALSO READ<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

RIP, dear Dukic. We send our most heartfelt condolences to the superstar athlete\u2019s bereaved loved ones and wish for healing in their time of grief<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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