CrossFit athlete drowns throughout swimming occasion
An athlete drowned throughout a CrossFit Video games competitors at Marine Creek Lake in Fort Value on Thursday morning.
FORT WORTH, Texas – An athlete drowned throughout a CrossFit Video games competitors at Marine Creek Lake in Fort Value on Thursday morning.
The athlete was later recognized by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner as 28-year-old Lazar Dukic from Serbia.
Occasions for Thursday had been canceled. The schedule past Thursday is unclear at this level.
The misery name went out round 8 a.m. when Dukic, who was swimming with a pack of rivals, vanished close to the end line. An investigation is underway.
“We’re doing every part in our energy. Throughout this tragic time to assist the household, to assist our neighborhood. We’re collaborating and dealing very intently with the authorities on the observe on investigation,” stated Don Faul, the CEO of CrossFit.
CrossFit Video games drowning: FULL NEWS CONFERENCE
Fort Value police, hearth and CrossFit officers speak in regards to the drowning on the first day of the CrossFit Video games in Fort Value on Thursday, August 8.
Dokic was participating in a run swim occasion, which included a 3.5-mile run adopted by an 800-meter swim.
Earlier than the occasion started, Dukic posted pictures of himself on social media, expressing his eagerness to compete.
“I recall seeing him within the warm-up space together with all the opposite athlete at about 6:30 within the morning,” stated CrossFit fanatic Kaitlin Pritchard who attended the occasion. “They took off like a cannon, like I anticipated. It was a 3 and half mile run. I believe most of them did it in below half-hour, which is extremely quick on a sizzling day.”
She says throughout the swimming portion she might see Dukic battle, however it didn’t seem like an emergency.
Along with watching from the lake, she additionally livestreamed it on her telephone.
“There have been a number of of them, him included, who appeared like they had been struggling a little bit bit with the swim, which isn’t that unusual,” Pritchard stated. “After they confirmed him it wasn’t tremendous apparent at the moment, there have been simply sure athletes altering up how they had been swimming. A few of them had been type of bobbing, and you may simply inform they had been drained.”
Moments later, Pritchard and different spectators had been requested to depart the realm on account of an unspecified incident.
“We’re totally cooperating with authorities and doing every part we are able to to assist the household at the moment,” learn an announcement from The CrossFit Video games. “The well-being of rivals is our first precedence and we’re heartbroken by this tragic occasion.”
Police and hearth had been referred to as to the realm at 8. The physique was recovered round 10.
“Our hearts exit to the athlete’s household, buddies and the complete CrossFit neighborhood. We take pleasure in being the host metropolis for the CrossFit Video games and stay dedicated to working intently with CrossFit to offer a supportive surroundings for all athletes spectators and guests,” stated Fort Value Mayor Mattie Parker in an announcement.
Parker stated the town has coordinated psychological well being and grief counselors for athletes, spectators and guests.
“You simply do not suppose that is going to occur. These are elite athletes,” stated Pritchard. “To suppose that 30-ish minutes later one of many fittest folks on this planet is simply gone like that.”
CrossFit Video games
The CrossFit Video games is being held in Fort Value, Texas for the primary time.
Throughout the four-day video games, rivals from 33 nations compete in varied exercises for the title “Fittest on Earth.”
The four-day occasion was set to happen at Dickies Enviornment and different areas in and round Fort Value.
Lazar Dukic
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner recognized the sufferer in Thursday’s drowning as Lazar Dukic.
Dukic, a 28-year-old from Serbia, had completed within the High 10 of the CrossFit Video games every of the final three years, based on the CrossFit Video games web site.
Dukic posted a number of pictures on social media of himself speaking in regards to the occasion and getting ready for the video games in Fort Value.
Social media posts present Dukic’s brother Luka can be in Fort Value to compete within the video games.
