Swimmer drowns unnoticed during event
An athlete has drowned in the middle of a livestreamed sporting competition in the US, with spectators and competitors alike not realising until it was too late.
Lazar Đukić, an athlete from Belgrade, Serbia, was one of many competing at the CrossFit competition in Texas, when he reportedly vanished near the end of a live-streamed 800-metre swim in Fort Worth’s Marine Creek Lake, near Dallas, on Thursday.
Spectators, staff and swimmers initially didn't notice the man had drowned, as the Fort Worth Fire Department told AP it was called to assist police because there “was a participant in the water that was down and hadn’t been seen in some point in time”.
Two hours after he was last seen, a body was pulled from the lake.
One distressed spectator said “people were still swimming over him where he went down”.
The organisers of the CrossFit Games issued a statement on Thursday, saying they are "deeply saddened" by the turn of events.
“CrossFit is deeply saddened by the death of a CrossFit Games competitor during the swimming portion of Individual Event 1 at the 2024 CrossFit Games,” the statement read.
“We are fully co-operating with authorities and doing everything we can to support the family at this time.”
Mr Đukić, 28, has been remembered as a “beloved friend and elite athlete”.
A GoFundMe fundraising page has been set up by one of Mr Đukić sponsors drinks brand Fitaid, to “support his loved ones during this time”, and has already raised $215,000 of $228,000 goal.
“Known for his kindness, humour, and supportive nature, Lazar brought a breath of fresh air wherever he went,” state the page.
“Beyond his athletic achievements, Lazar was caring, humorous and relentlessly supported those around him. His warm, supportive nature and quick wit left a lasting impression on everyone he met.”
Image credits: GoFundMe