CrossFit Games witness describes devastating moment he 'screamed for lifeguards' as athlete drowned
Topics: News, US News, World News, Sport
Kit Roberts
Featured Image Credit: colelearn/Instagram/Roka
Topics: News, US News, World News, Sport
A witness at the CrossFit Games has shared his account of the moment he saw an athlete go under during a swimming event, and never resurface.
The CrossFit community was plunged into shock by the death of athlete Lazar Dukic at the CrossFit Games in Texas.
Footage from the games shows Dukic getting into distress in the water as he approaches the finish for the 800m swimming event.
The athlete was seen struggling for breath, before disappearing under the water and not resurfacing.
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Eyewitnesses to the event were left horrified by the tragedy, and claimed how they had screamed for someone to come to Dukic's aid in the water.
Athlete Cole Learn had been watching the event and realised to his horror that something was not right in the water.
In a post to his Instagram stories, Learn recalled the moment that he knew something wasn't right.
He said: "We watched Lazar go under and we screamed for some life guards, we were pretty far away so it was tough to do anything else, but we were yelling for lifeguards and unfortunately they couldn't hear us, and he just never came back up.
"I am absolutely devastated, that was not something that I wanted to watch."
He added: "That's what happened, we're gonna try and figure things out."
After Lazar's disappearance, divers were sent to locate him in the water when bystanders were unable to do so.
Emergency services later confirmed that a body had been pulled from the water.
An investigation has now been launched into the incident.
Athlete David Shorunke witnessed the incident, and wrote on Instagram: "I hope the investigation underway reveals how one of the best runners and swimmers in the field managed to drown 30 metres from the finish in full view of lifeguards, medical personnel and hundreds of fans."
In a statement posted to Twitter, the CrossFit Games said: "Today is the saddest day in @CrossFit history. We are shattered by the loss of Lazar Đukić along with the entire CrossFit community.
"Lazar was one of our sport’s most talented competitors, but he was much more than an athlete. He was a son, a brother, and a friend to practically everyone who knew him. Fiercely competitive, incurably joyful and uncommonly kind, Lazar was the sun of any room he was in. The loss of his light is inconceivable."
CEO of CrossFit Don Faul said in a statement: “Yesterday was the saddest day in CrossFit history. To say our community is shattered after the tragic loss of Lazar Đukić would be an understatement. Yet we’re inspired by how the community has responded with love and support for Lazar’s family and fellow competitors. CrossFit is supporting Lazar’s loved ones during this difficult time, and will continue to do so.
“After speaking with the Đukić family and other athletes, we made the decision to move forward with the 2024 CrossFit Games, dedicated to Lazar Đukić.
“CrossFit’s paramount consideration is the safety of our community, and there are rigorous safety measures in place for each event. CrossFit has initiated an investigation, which will include an independent third-party review of yesterday’s tragic event.”