Friday, September 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.

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