In the midst of CrossFit’s banner competition and the hallmark celebration of crowning “The Fittest on Earth,” tragedy has struck. On the inaugural day of the 2024 CrossFit Games in Fort Worth, Texas, Serbian athlete Lazar Đukić lost his life. He was 28 years old.
At the time of his death, Đukić was attempting to complete the prescribed Lake Day workout, consisting of a 3.5-mile run and a 800-meter swim in Marine Creek Lake. According to news reports, emergency personnel were called to the scene when event organizers realized Đukić had not completed the swim and had not been spotted in the water for some time. He was declared dead at the scene.
CrossFit released a statement Thursday stating they were “deeply saddened” by the event and reacted by canceling the remainder of the Day 1 events. The remainder of the Games continued as planned, but in tribute to Đukić.
Who Was Lazar Đukić?
Known for his consistent showings in a variety of events (but claiming to love muscle-ups and overhead squats, but dread snatching), Đukić was the European Semifinal Champion and three-time Semifinals King of Europe. 2024 marked his fourth appearance at the CrossFit games. According to his CrossFit profile, he was the first individual athlete to win three consecutive Semifinals. A former professional water polo player, he was ranked 88th worldwide in the male category, 33rd in Europe and 3rd in Serbia. He even placed first worldwide in the Open 20.5 workout, consisting of 40 muscle-ups, 80-calorie row and 120 wall-ball shots, partitioned any way and with a 20-minute time cap.
Đukić was also looking to the future for ways to promote his sport and improve his fitness. While he eventually planned to coach and own a CrossFit gym in his retirement, he also had an interest in making a name for his country as a CrossFit powerhouse – stating he hoped Serbia would be “the next Iceland,” saying, “we have a big potential in some younger guys and even some guys that are older than me. If it’s possible, I would help anyone who wants to come to the games.”
Lazar and Luka
Personally, Lazar Đukić saw 2024 as his year. In a video posted to his Instagram account the day before his death, Đukić stated his goal was to make it to the podium.
But this year was special in a different way. Đukić was competing alongside his brother and fellow elite athlete Luka Đukić, with whom he shared a special bond. He had introduced Luka to CrossFit years prior, and the two had competed together and roomed together in 2021 during Lazar’s first showing at the Games.
“We didn’t even consider each other a competition, Lazar explained in an interview with BOXROX. “We considered ourselves as a team. Even though you have your coach, they are not going to know what you’re going through.”
The brothers even teamed up to encourage their fellow elite CrossFitters to meet or exceed their fitness challenge. They launched a hashtag in March 2020, #BeatTheDjukic (the “J” is included because that’s how it’s spelled in Serbia) and prescribed seven killer workouts – an AMRAP of rowing and thrusters and a doublet of muscle-ups and rowing, among others. The pair proudly posted their scores and challenged others to beat them.
Since his brother’s death, Luka Đukić’s once-vacant Instagram has turned into a tribute for Lazar. “Blood is not water, from the cradle to the grave, my soulmate, my brother. Blood is not water, people of the same breed, he will never sell me, my brother,” wrote Luka, the caption appearing beneath a photo of the two brothers, smiling ear-to-ear and arms around one another.
Tributes Roll In
As CrossFit made the difficult decision to continue the 2024 Games, but in Đukić’s honor, tributes rolled in from his fellow elite athletes from around the world.
“You were such a fierce competitor, a dear friend and loving brother, just to name a few,” wrote Tia-Clair Toomey on Instagram. “I can’t stop wishing we could go back in time to bring you back.”
“Stepping onto the competition floor without you by my side was an immeasurable loss,” said Roman Khrennikov on Instagram. “It felt as though a vital part of the experience had been torn away from me, leaving an unbearable void. On and off the field, you were an unwavering source of motivation, driving me to push beyond my limits. I am eternally grateful for the privilege of having you as my training partner and competitor.”
I had his back and I know he had mine. Our plan was that one of us would make a hole for the other before we hit the pavement to then establish position,” said Jeffrey Adler on Instagram, who would go on to withdraw from the 2024 Games. “He was a competitor but also an ally and most importantly a friend.I miss you dearly. I will never forget.”
A GoFundMe account established to support Đukić’s family described him this way: “Known for his kindness, humor, and supportive nature, Lazar brought a breath of fresh air wherever he went. 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.” At the time of this writing, the fund had garnered over $451,000 from over 8,000 donors, including sizable donations from fitness brands familiar to the CrossFit community – FITAID, GOWOD and NoBull, to name a few.
Why His Legacy Brings Out the Best in CrossFit
The fitness of the athletes that make it to the CrossFit Games is elite. For most of us who attend weekly classes at our local boxes, scaling our workouts when needed, hitting the Rx button when deserved and always looking for ways to keep pushing just a little bit further, the Games athletes can seem almost invincible, like titans. We watch them in awe – wondering how someone can be so strong, so fast, so determined. Their hard work, their grit and their passion for this sport sets them apart. It set Lazar Đukić apart. He was one of the greats.
He wasn’t just an athlete, though, like all of us. He was a brother, son and boyfriend. He was the type of athlete all of us hope to meet during our next WOD – the type of CrossFitter that defines our sport. Kind, accepting, supportive, with a good dose of humor and quick wit. Maybe that’s why his death is hitting all of us – CrossFit athletes with varying fitness levels and differing goals – so hard. We understand what he was about. We respect it. We celebrate it.
We talk all the time about CrossFit being a community – a community of athletes from all over the world with a common mission to be the best, strongest versions of ourselves, all the while supporting the other athletes in the gym. We give high fives for new PRs, hugs for finishing strenuous Open workouts and slaps on the back after finishing Murph. We wince in shared understanding through torn palms from the pull-up rig, burning quads from back squats and swollen shoulders from a large set of dumbbell snatches. We occasionally coach and encourage each other back from the more serious tears and sprains that we know can sometimes come with this level of training. But I don’t think any of us can ever be prepared for the actual loss of an athlete. But now it’s happened – and moreover, it’s happened to an athlete at the height of his fitness and at the top of the sport.
But what we’re continuing to see (and maybe we shouldn’t be surprised by it) is CrossFit coming together again. Athletes from all over the world sending condolences, prayers and other sincere sentiments. Members of the community showing up for this athlete’s loved ones. Influencers posting his picture, telling his story, talking about what made him special – as an athlete and as a human being. That’s why I’m reminded that CrossFit is a community that’s focused on fitness, but not fully on fitness. We’re also passionate about the things that make each of us, well, us – our families, our careers, our passions and strengths outside of the gym. We care. And I am fully confident the CrossFit community will continue to care in the days and weeks ahead. We won’t let Lazar Đukić go without remembering his legacy.
He deserves it.
Rest in peace.
