Emma Tall, Elisa Fuliano, and Sam Cournoyer have announced via social media that they will not continue competing in the remainder of the 2024 CrossFit Games. Guilherme Malheiros appeared devastated by the loss of his friend Lazar Đukić during Event 3 and chose not to participate in the final event of the evening. Similarly, Victoria Campos did not compete in two events on Friday.
And as of today August 11. Three more female athletes withdrew from the 2024 CrossFit Games just before the “Clean Ladder” event on Friday afternoon. Jacqueline Dahlstrom, ranked 28th overall, Arielle Loewen, ranked 26th, and Dani Speegle, ranked 35th, have decided not to continue competing for the title of Fittest Woman on Earth.
Their departures have altered the competitive landscape of the Games, as these athletes were among the strong contenders for the top positions. This shift adds a new dynamic to the ongoing competition as other athletes vie for the title.
A total of 13 individual athletes are no longer competing following the death of Lazar Dukic during event 1.
- Luka Dukic
- Jeff Adler
- Laura Horvath
- Karin Freyova
- Emma Tall
- Elisa Fuliano
- Victoria Campos
- Sam Cournoyer
- Guilherme Malheiros
- Moritz Fiebig
- Jacqueline Dahlstrom
- Dani Speegle
- Arielle Loewen
One of the most surprising withdrawals on Friday was that of Emma Tall. The Swedish athlete was in 3rd place overall after completing the first event of the day, Event 2, but she unexpectedly did not show up for the second and subsequent events. Her absence was a shock to many, as she was in a strong position to contend for the top spot.
“Following the event 2 this afternoon, I made the decision to withdraw from the 2024 CrossFit Games.
We all have a choice to make and this is the one that sits best with me.
I will post my full thoughts soon.”
-Emma Tall
Dani Speegle
Dani Speegle made a significant impact during the 2022 CrossFit Games, showcasing her strength and promoting body positivity with the hashtag #GirlsWhoEat, encouraging women to embrace their muscular physiques. Today, she announced her withdrawal from the competition with a brief message, offering little explanation but promising a more detailed statement in the future. Her departure leaves many fans curious about her reasons and marks a notable absence from the Games, where she was once a formidable competitor.
Elisa Fuliano
Italian athlete Elisa Fuliano shared a video with her coach, expressing their emotions following Lazar Đukić’s tragic death. Elisa recounted experiencing a panic attack while in the water. She looked for help but saw no one around and had to swim for another five minutes before spotting any safety personnel. She informed her coach about the incident even before learning about Lazar’s death. This harrowing experience highlights the challenges faced by athletes and raises concerns about safety measures during the event.
Gui Malheiros
Guilherme Malheiros, a close personal friend of Lazar Đukić, is known for his cheerful demeanor and impressive lifting abilities, often smiling while performing heavy lifts. However, today was markedly different for him. Although he managed to participate in the first two events of the day, he was visibly emotional during the second event, with cameras capturing him sobbing just moments before the workout began. He was unable to continue for the third event and did not appear, reflecting the deep impact of his friend’s loss on his performance.
For those interested in understanding Guilherme Malheiros’ reasons for withdrawing, he shared his thoughts on Instagram Stories in both Portuguese and English. His posts offer insight into his emotional state and the impact of recent events on his decision. Fans can view his stories to hear directly from him and understand the personal reasons behind his withdrawal.
