Monday, May 18, 2026

CrossFit Athlete Dies in Texas Swimming Competition 

  • Lazar Đukić, a 28-year-old Serbian, was confirmed dead by authorities.
  • Competition was halted after the Thursday drowning.
Jon Lemoine-USA TODAY Sports

An athlete at the CrossFit Games died in a Texas lake Thursday, leading to the cancellation of the rest of the day’s scheduled events. 

Authorities responded to a possible drowning call early Thursday morning.

In a statement, the CrossFit Games confirmed the death and said it’s fully cooperating with authorities, but it didn’t release the name of the athlete. 

The athlete was Lazar Đukić, a 28-year-old Serbian, according to the Star-Telegram.

Video shows Đukić disappearing under the water during the 800-meter swim in Fort Worth’s Marine Creek Lake.

Authorities were called around 8 a.m. about a “participant in the water” who “hadn’t been seen in some time,” they said at a press conference Thursday. Đukić was later found and declared dead at the scene.

Don Faul, the CEO of CrossFit, said during a press briefing that the death has him “gutted.” 

Đukić, an established competitor on the circuit, said before the event that his goal was to finish on the podium. The event was scheduled to continue through Thursday.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

DraftKingsApp

DraftKings Cofounder: Kalshi Is Years Away From Competitive Product

Kalshi responded with a gif from the movie “Mean Girls.”

Nashville’s New $2.1B Stadium Expected to Land 2030 Super Bowl

Team owners will vote on future Super Bowl and NFL Draft locations.
Dec 12, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer on the sidelines against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

Jaguars Win $30M Contract Dispute Against Urban Meyer

The Jaguars fired Meyer for cause in 2021.

NBA Conference Finals Show How Modern Title Contenders Are Built

The Knicks and Cavs have the league’s two most expensive rosters.

Featured Today

NFL Rivalries Are Made on the Field, Mocked in Schedule Release Videos

Every year, teams find new ways to one-up themselves (and their rivals).
Bart Swings/Falyn Fonoimoana/Avery Poppinga
May 14, 2026

OnlyFans Is Paying Pro Athletes What Their Sports Won’t

The adult-content platform is a reliable income source for niche athletes.
May 13, 2026

How Sports Graphic Designers Are Grappling With the Rise of AI Art

The release of ChatGPT 2.0 Images sparked a conversation among sports designers.
May 12, 2026

Collectible Cups Are Sending Sports Fans Into a Frenzy

The drink is secondary to the wild vessel it comes in.
Sponsored

Volpe Brings Style to the Bronx

With the New York Yankees & Anthony Volpe, Charles Tyrwhitt is bringing its decades-long playbook to one of sports’ biggest stages.
May 12, 2026

NBA Player Brandon Clarke Dies at 29

Clarke died on Monday in Southern California, authorities say.
May 15, 2026; Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA; Bryson DeChambeau plays his shot on the seventh tee during the second round of the PGA Championship golf tournament.
May 15, 2026

Bryson DeChambeau Misses Second Major Cut Amid LIV Turmoil

DeChambeau also missed the cut at this year’s Masters.
Sponsored

Volpe Brings Style to the Bronx

With the New York Yankees & Anthony Volpe, Charles Tyrwhitt is bringing its decades-long playbook to one of sports’ biggest stages.
May 12, 2026

Another Summer of LeBron Is Here

James is not under contract for next season.
Aug 2, 2024; Nanterre, France; Benjamin Proud (Great Britain), Cameron McEvoy (Australia) and Florent Manaudou (France) in the men’s 50-meter freestyle medal ceremony during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Paris La Défense Arena.
May 11, 2026

The Enhanced Games Want to Be More Than a Steroid Olympics

“There’s a benefit for anyone to live enhanced.”
Trick Williams Front Office Sports
May 9, 2026

WWE’s Next Big Star Could Be Ex-NFL Hopeful Trick Williams

The former South Carolina wideout is now WWE’s U.S. champion.
May 6, 2026

Napheesa Collier Admits Engelbert Rant Was For CBA Leverage

The WNBA and WNBPA agreed to a new labor deal in March.