Luka Đukić has broken his silence following the death of his brother, Lazar Đukić, during the 2024 CrossFit Games. In an emotional Instagram post, Luka detailed the events leading up to Lazar’s tragic drowning, highlighting a series of failures that he believes contributed to the incident.

Just weeks after the Games, the CrossFit community remains shaken, and criticism is mounting over the event’s safety protocols. Luka’s statement is his first public account since the Games concluded, and it reveals a deeply personal and troubling view of what happened.

Update: Dave Castro Responds to Luka Đukić’s Statement with Apology

In response to Luka Đukić’s emotional statement, Dave Castro, Director of Sport for CrossFit, issued a public apology on social media, addressing the criticisms Luka raised regarding the handling of his brother Lazar’s death during the 2024 CrossFit Games.

Castro acknowledged reading Luka’s post and expressed regret for his comments suggesting that the decision to continue the Games was “blessed” by the Đukić family. He clarified that the decision to proceed was made by CrossFit, not the Đukić family, and emphasized that he never intended to place the burden of that decision on Luka, the Đukić family, or the athletes.

“I’ve never been in a situation like this before, and I absolutely made a mistake,” Castro wrote. “I sincerely regret any pain I’ve caused.”

This apology marks the first direct acknowledgment from Castro regarding the miscommunication and his role in the aftermath of the tragedy, as criticisms mount over the decisions made by CrossFit leadership in the wake of Lazar Đukić’s death.

Luka Đukić’s Emotional Tribute to Lazar

Luka’s statement began with a heartfelt tribute to his brother, emphasizing their close bond. “In Lazar, I had everything. He was my brother, my best friend, my idol, fellow competitor, training partner, someone I went to when I didn’t know what to do and someone I ran to when I had good news,” Luka wrote.

The pain of losing his brother was evident in every line. Luka acknowledged that he did not owe the public an explanation but felt compelled to share his side of the story. The post was more than just a tribute; it was a call to remember Lazar’s spirit and the profound impact he had on those around him.

Details Leading Up to the Event

Luka detailed the days leading up to the competition, explaining how he and Lazar prepared together, including running the course and swimming in the lake before the event. They had planned to keep each other accountable during the race by pacing one another.

However, during the event, things took a tragic turn. Luka explained that Lazar missed the water entrance, costing him precious seconds. Luka, close to the lead group, ended up entering the water at nearly the same time as Lazar. “That was the last time I saw him,” Luka recalled. The brothers’ plan to support each other quickly fell apart, setting the stage for what would become a devastating sequence of events.

Immediate Aftermath of the Event

After finishing the event, Luka immediately began searching for Lazar. He encountered his partner, Anja Pantović, who was visibly upset and mentioned that she had seen something concerning on the livestream. Desperately trying to find answers, Luka approached Dave Castro, Director of Sport for CrossFit, to ask about Lazar’s whereabouts.

Castro’s response was initially reassuring: “‘He was number 27, right? They said his chip crossed the finish line.’” But the relief was short-lived. A CrossFit HQ staff member soon informed Luka that two chip timers were still missing, including Lazar’s.

The next hours were filled with uncertainty and confusion. Luka was left waiting without any clear information. It wasn’t until much later that he realized CrossFit officials were waiting for emergency services to locate Lazar’s body. When the tragic news was finally confirmed, Luka had to identify his brother through a photo.

The Discovery and CrossFit HQ’s Response

Luka’s post detailed his frustration with the response from CrossFit leadership. He recounted watching footage that showed Lazar struggling in the water, with no immediate attempts made to save him. Luka noted that two volunteers on paddleboards, who were unequipped to respond, were nearby but failed to notice Lazar’s distress.

Still in his swimwear, Luka was later summoned to meet with Castro and Nicole Carroll, CrossFit HQ’s chief brand officer. The two informed him of their decision to continue the Games as a tribute to Lazar. Luka, shocked and grieving, expressed that the decision should not rest on his shoulders. Castro’s response, according to Luka, was cold and dismissive: “It’s not up to you anyways.”

Luka’s Criticism of Safety Measures

Throughout his statement, Luka emphasized the inadequate safety protocols that were in place during the event. He highlighted the absence of properly trained personnel to respond to emergencies, despite Lazar’s visible distress on the livestream. Luka expressed his determination to explore every legal avenue to hold those responsible accountable and to prevent such tragedies from recurring.

“I feel obligated with my family to do everything that is legally in my power to ask questions, go deeper into this case, and try to see whose fault [it is] that there was no reaction from the multi-million dollar organization,” Luka wrote. His words reflected a broader call for accountability within the CrossFit community.

Reflection on CrossFit’s Decision to Continue the Games

Luka also addressed the decision to continue the Games, criticizing the insensitivity of CrossFit HQ’s approach. After asking for privacy if he chose to attend the tribute to Lazar, his request was ignored. This lack of respect deepened Luka’s frustration, leading him to refuse any further conversations with HQ officials.

The final exchange between Luka and Castro left an indelible mark. Luka’s statement revealed the emotional toll of navigating this painful experience while feeling unheard by those in charge.

Medical Examiner’s Report

Adding to the complexities, the Medical Examiner’s office later confirmed that Lazar was in peak physical condition with no signs of a heart attack, underscoring the preventability of the tragedy. Luka shared these findings to highlight that Lazar’s death was not due to any underlying health issues but rather a failure of safety protocols.

Luka’s Call for Accountability and Awareness

In closing, Luka reiterated that he holds no resentment towards the athletes who continued to compete. Instead, his focus remains on ensuring that everyone recognizes the serious flaws in the event’s safety measures, which could have endangered any athlete.

“Even if I wanted to go deeper into this conversation, I wouldn’t, because what it’s doing is just taking attention from where it should be, and that is: how could this happen on [a] competition of this size, how could it happen on a live-stream and to someone who was very easy to keep track of as he was one of the few people in the lead,” Luka said.

He ended his statement by thanking the community for their support and shared his decision to step back from the public eye to grieve privately. “My brother loved this sport, and he was one of the best in the world at it,” Luka concluded, accompanied by photos of him and Lazar, capturing the bond they shared.