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Post by KikiPea on Aug 8, 2024 23:10:56 GMT
Such a strange situation. I do hope they find out what happened, and it was not something that the staff could have prevented. www.wfaa.com/article/sports/who-is-lazar-dukic-fort-worth-crossfit-games-texas/287-1f8e62e9-10c9-4da4-92fb-c31c88082972Who is Lazar Đukić? What we know about the CrossFit Games athlete who drowned in Fort Worth lake The 28-year-old CrossFit athlete was from Serbia and a Europe Semifinal champion. Author: Paul Livengood Published: 2:09 PM CDT August 8, 2024 Updated: 3:01 PM CDT August 8, 2024 FORT WORTH, Texas — On the first day of the CrossFit Games in Fort Worth, Texas, tragedy struck. At Marine Creek Lake, the site of a run-and-swim event, a body was recovered at approximately 10 a.m. Thursday morning after the Fort Worth Fire Department responded to a drowning call at the location. The body crews recovered was identified by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner as Lazar Đukić, a 28-year-old from Serbia. The event was streamed on ESPN+ and several other platforms including Facebook, Twitch and YouTube. All the livestreams abruptly ended Thursday morning. The Sevan Podcast, which covers the CrossFit Games, was livestreaming their reactions and commentary about the competition when they noted that the swimming event had been canceled. "Which makes me think something bad happened, if they want everyone to leave" one of the podcasters said. The group then began playing audio from a woman who was explaining the situation. "It looks like we have a serious issue on our hands," the woman could be heard saying. The group then received a call from someone who was apparently at the scene and asked them to cut off their livestream. "Guys we're going to have to end the stream," one of the podcasters said. "It looks like something serious has happened." The first CrossFit Games event was held in 2007. This is the first year CrossFit has held its annual games in Texas as opposed to its typical location in Madison, Wisconsin. |
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Post by katlady on Aug 8, 2024 23:41:16 GMT
How tragic! I hope they find out the cause. Where were the spotters?? I heard they didn't look for him until after all the other swimmers had come back in.
The CrossFit Games organization has had a lot of problems in the past. Sometimes I feel like they push the athletes too far in these competitions. Isn't TX really hot right now? I heard they did a 3 mile run before the swim portion. I remember the year they first introduced an open water swim. Many athletes were not good swimmers and some barely made it back. One female athlete was terrified. They do not announce what the events will be until close to when the competition starts. But being able to swim has been a part of the Games since then, so they do practice, but probably not as much as they train the other strength and endurance movements.
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gina
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Post by gina on Aug 8, 2024 23:49:44 GMT
So very sad; this has upset me today. He drowned something like 50-100m off shore. From what I read he was in 2nd place for most of the event then they 'lost track of him'? A ton of commenters on the CF insta were calling for them to cancel the entire Games, not just today's events. I don't follow CF anymore (I did it from 2015-2022 and was at the Games in '16 and '17) but I believe he was there with a gf and his brother. Witnesses say he was a strong swimmer but he just sorta bobbed up and down at some point, showing signs of distress to onlookers on the beach. Then he never came back up. Really tragic. He was born in 1995. A baby.  |
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Post by KikiPea on Aug 8, 2024 23:54:23 GMT
How tragic! I hope they find out the cause. Where were the spotters?? I heard they didn't look for him until after all the other swimmers had come back in. The CrossFit Games organization has had a lot of problems in the past. Sometimes I feel like they push the athletes too far in these competitions. Isn't TX really hot right now? I heard they did a 3 mile run before the swim portion. I remember the year they first introduced an open water swim. Many athletes were not good swimmers and some barely made it back. One female athlete was terrified. They do not announce what the events will be until close to when the competition starts. But being able to swim has been a part of the Games since then, so they do practice, but probably not as much as they train the other strength and endurance movements. The spotters were there. No idea why it took them so long to find him. Something seems off there. A spectator tried to jump in and help, but they made her get out. Yes, today was tied with yesterday as the hottest day of the summer so far, with a high of 103°. If I remember correctly, this event was at 7am, which still would have been 80+°. The humidity is around 40%, so feels like you’re walking around in a dryer. I read that they usually do the swim first so they won’t run out of steam in the water. If that’s true, I have no idea why they would do the run first. As awful as it would be, I’m hoping that there was some unknown health issue that caused his going under, and not a lack of response from the spotters. That could cause big problems for CrossFit, and whoever the spotters work for. |
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Post by KikiPea on Aug 8, 2024 23:57:44 GMT
So very sad; this has upset me today. He drowned something like 50-100m off shore. From what I read he was in 2nd place for most of the event then they 'lost track of him'? A ton of commenters on the CF insta were calling for them to cancel the entire Games, not just today's events. I don't follow CF anymore (I did it from 2015-2022 and was at the Games in '16 and '17) but I believe he was there with a gf and his brother. Witnesses say he was a strong swimmer but he just sorta bobbed up and down at some point, showing signs of distress to onlookers on the beach. Then he never came back up. Really tragic. He was born in 1995. A baby. We were thinking about going tomorrow before this happened. We were really excited that they were local. I can’t imagine they would continue. It’s an awful situation, and Ft Worth may never have the chance to have them here again. I’m sure this has put a serious damper on their chances. |
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gina
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Post by gina on Aug 8, 2024 23:59:53 GMT
How tragic! I hope they find out the cause. Where were the spotters?? I heard they didn't look for him until after all the other swimmers had come back in. The CrossFit Games organization has had a lot of problems in the past. Sometimes I feel like they push the athletes too far in these competitions. Isn't TX really hot right now? I heard they did a 3 mile run before the swim portion. I remember the year they first introduced an open water swim. Many athletes were not good swimmers and some barely made it back. One female athlete was terrified. They do not announce what the events will be until close to when the competition starts. But being able to swim has been a part of the Games since then, so they do practice, but probably not as much as they train the other strength and endurance movements. The spotters were there. No idea why it took them so long to find him. Something seems off there. A spectator tried to jump in and help, but they made her get out. Yes, today was tied with yesterday as the hottest day of the summer so far, with a high of 103°. If I remember correctly, this event was at 7am, which still would have been 80+°. The humidity is around 40%, so feels like you’re walking around in a dryer. I read that they usually do the swim first so they won’t run out of steam in the water. If that’s true, I have no idea why they would do the run first. As awful as it would be, I’m hoping that there was some unknown health issue that caused his going under, and not a lack of response from the spotters. That could cause big problems for CrossFit, and whoever the spotters work for. Eh, not totally accurate. I would say its more like 50/50. Plenty of times it has been Run-Swim or Run-Swim-Run. Its not standard to start with a swim (they have done Run-Swim-Bike before as well). some info on it |
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Post by katlady on Aug 9, 2024 0:01:39 GMT
Lot of the judges and probably the spotters are volunteers. They are all vetted, but they are not employees. I don’t know how the liability would work in this case.
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gina
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Post by gina on Aug 9, 2024 0:01:51 GMT
I found this Reddit when the event was announced a month ago. KikiPea Gators?!?!! That local's comment (below) mentioned the heat. In case you were wondering what lake in DFW: maps.app.goo.gl/tmJsJkAqkmMZTshq7
My concerns:
Hope they start at like 6am. DFW August "average highs" are mid to upper 90s, but with an average august humidity of 80% at even 6am temps in the 80s feel like 100+ degrees
Likely will be just a loop around the lake and then a swim. Let's hope no snakes or gators! and no i am not kidding.
If you plan on attending are not from FW, the location is not Anywhere close to where the other events are held. and that's a 20 min drive on a zero traffic day. |
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Post by AussieMeg on Aug 9, 2024 0:28:24 GMT
Oh how awful! I have friends (from here in Melbourne) over there for the cross fit games right now. It would be awful to be there and see it all unfold.
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Post by KikiPea on Aug 9, 2024 0:48:31 GMT
I found this Reddit when the event was announced a month ago. KikiPea Gators?!?!! That local's comment (below) mentioned the heat. In case you were wondering what lake in DFW: maps.app.goo.gl/tmJsJkAqkmMZTshq7
My concerns:
Hope they start at like 6am. DFW August "average highs" are mid to upper 90s, but with an average august humidity of 80% at even 6am temps in the 80s feel like 100+ degrees
Likely will be just a loop around the lake and then a swim. Let's hope no snakes or gators! and no i am not kidding.
If you plan on attending are not from FW, the location is not Anywhere close to where the other events are held. and that's a 20 min drive on a zero traffic day.I have not seen or read any information about gators in that lake. They are known to be in Lake Worth, or Eagle Mountain lakes near by. |
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valincal
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Post by valincal on Aug 9, 2024 2:12:03 GMT
Very sad.
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Post by katlady on Aug 9, 2024 5:24:36 GMT
So very sad; this has upset me today. He drowned something like 50-100m off shore. From what I read he was in 2nd place for most of the event then they 'lost track of him'? A ton of commenters on the CF insta were calling for them to cancel the entire Games, not just today's events. I don't follow CF anymore (I did it from 2015-2022 and was at the Games in '16 and '17) but I believe he was there with a gf and his brother. Witnesses say he was a strong swimmer but he just sorta bobbed up and down at some point, showing signs of distress to onlookers on the beach. Then he never came back up. Really tragic. He was born in 1995. A baby. We were thinking about going tomorrow before this happened. We were really excited that they were local. I can’t imagine they would continue. It’s an awful situation, and Ft Worth may never have the chance to have them here again. I’m sure this has put a serious damper on their chances. The Games will continue this weekend. They posted on their IG page. |
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Post by KikiPea on Aug 9, 2024 13:13:31 GMT
We were thinking about going tomorrow before this happened. We were really excited that they were local. I can’t imagine they would continue. It’s an awful situation, and Ft Worth may never have the chance to have them here again. I’m sure this has put a serious damper on their chances. The Games will continue this weekend. They posted on their IG page. Yeah, we just decided that the atmosphere wouldn’t be the same. It would be hard to have fun. I hope the events go smoothly. |
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gina
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Post by gina on Aug 9, 2024 14:48:25 GMT
The Games will continue this weekend. They posted on their IG page. Yeah, we just decided that the atmosphere wouldn’t be the same. It would be hard to have fun. I hope the events go smoothly. Agreed. I am disappointed they continued with the Games. Hard to compete under such sad circumstances. |
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Post by needmysanity on Aug 9, 2024 18:43:24 GMT
I saw the video that was taken from the shore and you can see his head and then he is gone. No one noticed and you can see how close the spotters on SUP's were to him. Very upsetting. Video |
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Post by 2peafaithful on Aug 9, 2024 21:36:06 GMT
So tragic.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Aug 10, 2024 4:13:55 GMT
I know nothing about the CrossFit games but I read some comments saying that in the triathlon the swimming even is first for safety and that the CrossFit games should do the same. It isn’t safe to swim in open water after you have just run a 5k.
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Post by katlady on Aug 10, 2024 4:57:13 GMT
I know nothing about the CrossFit games but I read some comments saying that in the triathlon the swimming even is first for safety and that the CrossFit games should do the same. It isn’t safe to swim in open water after you have just run a 5k. I have read that even in triathlon events, where swimming is first, some athletes get into trouble during the swim. There have been triathletes that have died in the swim portion. So I don't think there is any definite answers. But open water swimming in general is more dangerous than swimming in a pool. Are the waters of this lake cold like an ocean, does anyone know? ETA - I wonder if this will be the last CrossFit Games with a swim portion, or if the Games will even continue after this year. |
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gina
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Post by gina on Aug 10, 2024 17:23:09 GMT
I know nothing about the CrossFit games but I read some comments saying that in the triathlon the swimming even is first for safety and that the CrossFit games should do the same. It isn’t safe to swim in open water after you have just run a 5k. I have read that even in triathlon events, where swimming is first, some athletes get into trouble during the swim. There have been triathletes that have died in the swim portion. So I don't think there is any definite answers. But open water swimming in general is more dangerous than swimming in a pool. Are the waters of this lake cold like an ocean, does anyone know? ETA - I wonder if this will be the last CrossFit Games with a swim portion, or if the Games will even continue after this year. The Games will 100% continue. They continued the day after the death. I would venture to say *if* they include a swim again (and they eventually will. There was no swim last year so I could see them skipping next...), it will forever be first before the run. There's a reason triathlons have it first. |
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Post by bc2ca on Aug 10, 2024 18:37:17 GMT
Lot of the judges and probably the spotters are volunteers. They are all vetted, but they are not employees. I don’t know how the liability would work in this case.  When you are watching a moving field I can sort of see how no one person was paying enough attention, but I had to stop watching the video because it was horrifying to realize he had gone under. |
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Aug 10, 2024 21:03:55 GMT
Quick note: people drown in pools without being seen. Some not seen until everyone leaves the pool.
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Post by KikiPea on Aug 10, 2024 21:39:38 GMT
Quick note: people drown in pools without being seen. Some not seen until everyone leaves the pool. That’s definitely true, but there were spotters right close by, and even a spectator saw it happening, and jumped in to help, but they made her get out. I completely understand that that was most likely for her safety, but it’s just odd that it took So long to find him after she saw it. |
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Post by katlady on Aug 10, 2024 23:46:22 GMT
There have been athletes who have chosen to not compete the rest of the weekend. I also saw that some teams delayed their start by a minute to honor Lazar.
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Post by Lurkingpea on Aug 11, 2024 1:02:26 GMT
Quick note: people drown in pools without being seen. Some not seen until everyone leaves the pool. That’s definitely true, but there were spotters right close by, and even a spectator saw it happening, and jumped in to help, but they made her get out. I completely understand that that was most likely for her safety, but it’s just odd that it took So long to find him after she saw it. There have been videos showing how easy it is for people to disappear in water depending on their suit and the light. A highlighter green yellow color is the safest color to wear. Not saying what he was wearing could have or would have made a difference but the videos of people disappearing underwater are quite scary. It can happen so fast. I also wonder if they understood why the bystander was going into the water? In any event it is a tragedy. |
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Post by mammajamma on Aug 11, 2024 4:51:21 GMT
This tragedy has been on my mind since it happened. We have guests staying with us from Europe who came to see the CrossFit Games. I live 15 min from the lake where it happened, and 5 min from where the games are at. I feel awful for the family of Lazar. I also feel embarrassed to the CF community that this had to happen in my hometown. I feel bad for so many international athletes and spectators would came to enjoy and it certainly had a rough start and a weird mix of emotions on how to handle it. I read on local newspapers there was police investigation. Our European guests didn’t understand why the swimmers didn’t have floatable balloon like devices like other open water swims have. Why weren’t there more life guards? Why were they in paddle boards and not kayaks (to rescue quicker)? Swim should have been first.
The communication on the first day of canceled games with the thousands of spectators was awful. Do they not have a crisis management company on retainer?
The tribute to Lazar they did on Thursday did not seem very thoughtful. Not sure if that is what his brother (who is also competing wanted) but that was so short and sure seems like they could have pulled something a bit more together.
I heard they had planned to do the CF games in Fort Worth for 3 years before moving on to another location, possibly Europe. I wonder if FW will host it again.
Before the race, I thought that lake was such a strange location for a race. I haven’t heard of anyone doing something like that there. It’s a small lake and I didn’t really think it was open to the public. I have seen trick water skiing devices like ramps there. I’m guessing the water was probably 90 degrees as that is what our pool is and another nearby lake this time of year. I thought August for these games was such a bad time of year to visit Fort Worth. Although this summer has been a bit more mild, August is the worst month!
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gina
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Post by gina on Aug 11, 2024 4:58:07 GMT
There have been athletes who have chosen to not compete the rest of the weekend. I also saw that some teams delayed their start by a minute to honor Lazar. His brother pulled out. CF is getting a TON of backlash on instagram because of their posts. I keep reading comments saying how they are not taking any responsibility and instead have turned this into almost a gruesome weekend of profiting from a tragedy. People are saying the posts 'honoring' Lazar seem insincere and a social media blackout would have been a better idea. A few comments under this post:  The way that this organization is outright exploiting an athlete’s very likely preventable death (if not for its own gross negligence) for likes and views is absolutely disgusting. This isn’t “community”—this is a strategic public relations attempt to evade accountability and responsibility under the guise of showing respect and honor.
This page is insanely tone deaf.
The level of tone deaf this page has shown in the last 48 hours is shocking. This is not showing respect to a fallen member of your community. We all understand that there are sponsorships and financial commitments…but this is life. This is bigger than money…not to mention if you did the right thing and cancelled the games do you not believe this community you have wouldn’t have rallied support in ways that would have more than made up any financial loss in the long run? Have to unfollow.
Tons more like it... |
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Aug 11, 2024 14:39:17 GMT
I wonder if this will be the last CrossFit Games with a swim portion, or if the Games will even continue after this year. Well, we still send children to school. (I realize that may come across as flippant. And I almost rewrote it. But I decided maybe the shock value of leaving it as is would get my point across better. That man's death was a tragedy and could have probably been avoided with different safety measures in place. But it will in no way stop people from doing what they want to do and organizations from profiting on it.) |
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When you are watching a moving field I can sort of see how no one person was paying enough attention, but I had to stop watching the video because it was horrifying to realize he had gone under. 
