As we continue to digest what happened last Thursday when Serbian competitor Lazar Đukić died during the swim portion of Event 1 at the 2024 CrossFit Games, more and more details are coming to light.
We are learning more about what happened that day from athletes and other eyewitnesses, both immediately after the event ended and in the ensuing hours.
We are documenting all of this below to better understand what ultimately led to the decision to resume the 2024 CrossFit Games on Friday.
Here’s the timeline of the events that took place that day based on the facts available to us right now.
[Related: CrossFit Community Reacts to Lazar Đukić’s Death]
The Morning
7 a.m. CT.: Event 1 of the 2024 CrossFit Games kicks off at Marine Lake Park in Fort Worth, TX, starting with a 3.5-mile run followed by an 800-meter swim.
7:37 a.m.: Đukić is seen for the last time above the water before disappearing into the lake.
Read: Former lifeguard and 10-year affiliate owner Rudy Trevinos gave us an eyewitness account of what we saw as he watched the event from the finish line.
7:37-8:00 a.m.: As more and more athletes cross the finish line, Đukić’s girlfriend Anja and his brother Luka, who has finished the event, grow concerned as Lazar, a former water polo player and strong swimmer, hasn’t been seen crossing the finish line.
Word starts to spread that Đukić may be missing, and his name is not on the leaderboard.
At 7:51 a.m., MCU managing editor Joe Genetin-Pilawa, who was standing on the boat ramp at the finish line, alerts the MCU team via Slack message that “Lazar is missing at the moment.”
At that point, however, people are still hoping that his chip timer just isn’t working, which was also the case for athlete Henrik Haapalainen.
8:00 a.m.: Police arrive on sight, and media and spectators are ordered to leave the area.
At 8:25 a.m, CrossFit announces Team Event 1 has been canceled.
Shortly after that, by 8:27 a.m., CrossFit’s live feed of the competition is removed online.
8:35 a.m. (approximately): Search and rescue arrives on site and begins searching the water for Đukić.
During this time, athletes know something is wrong and are growing more concerned. Nothing has been confirmed, so for the most part, the athletes carry on as if everything is normal and start making their way back to Dickies Arena to begin their preparation for Event 2, which is set to kick off at 11 a.m.
10:30 a.m.: CBS News Texas and Morning Chalk Up staff on-site in Fort Worth, TX, report that a body has been pulled out of the Marine Creek Reservoir.
CrossFit CEO Don Faul and Director of the CrossFit Games Dave Castro appear on the local Fort Worth news station WFAA and confirm that an athlete has died. Faul says:
“CrossFit is deeply saddened by the death of one of our athletes during the swim portion of our event this morning. We’re doing everything in our power during this tragic time to support the family, to support our community. We are collaborating, working very closely, with the authorities…We have canceled the rest of today’s events and activities in the CrossFit Games, and we will continue to be focused on supporting our community and the family through this tragic set of circumstances.”
The Afternoon
1:32 p.m.: Athletes receive an email from CrossFit letting them know that there will be an optional meeting at 4 p.m. at Dickies Arena to “discuss our path forward.”
4 p.m.: Athletes and coaches arrive at Dickies Arena, where Castro initiates the conversation. He quickly tells the group that he has spoken to both Luka and Anja and that they both have effectively given their blessing, or their permission, so to speak, for the CrossFit Games to continue.
Emily Rolfe, who went on to compete and place third overall, recounts the moment.
“I observed Dave prior to speaking to the athletes. He appeared to be struggling to contain his emotions and was clearly distraught. He was trying to put on a brave face, but had a hard time speaking,” Rolfe remembers.
At first, she said, nobody really said anything. But then the silence was broken, as people started to fire questions at Castro, asking them why there weren’t more lifeguards on the lake, among other concerns.
[Related: Jeff Adler Withdraws From the 2024 CrossFit Games]
Some athletes, including last year’s champion Laura Horvath, leave the meeting.
“Dave then realized the athletes were not happy with what had been suggested, and it was decided we break into small groups. We broke into these mini ‘pow wow’ groups, and the idea was that, as a group, we needed to come to a consensus,” Rolfe says.
A consensus, however, was impossible.
Rolfe explains there were essentially three polarizing options:
1. Carry on with the CrossFit Games on Friday.
2. Cancel the Games entirely.
3. Continue with the Games, but only as an exhibition. No leaderboard. And split the prize money, donating some to the Đukić family.
“Nothing was really getting solved,” Rolfe remembers, adding that it felt like “an impossible situation.”
With no consensus, the next plan of attack is to select five individual women, five individual males, five team athletes, and five coaches to act as representatives of their group and continue the conversation.
It’s also decided that CrossFit will send out a survey to the athletes and poll them anonymously about their opinion as to what the final decision should be.
Some athletes begin nominating other athletes, while others volunteer themselves. In the end, the representatives are chosen.
Women: Danielle Brandon, Haley Adams, Victoria Campos, Emily Rolfe, and Alex Gazan
Men: Jayson Hopper, Saxon Panchik, Brent Fikowski, Cole Sager, and Jay Crouch
Teams: Royce Dunn, Elliot Simmonds, Khan Porter, Jessi Smith, and Noah Ohlsen
Coaches: Jami Tikkanen, Caroline Lambray, Adam Neiffer, Joakim Rygh, and Facundo Etchecolatz
The Evening
7 p.m.: The survey to athletes is sent out, and they’re told they must reply by 8:30 p.m.
It was not sent in the form of a traditional email, so Rolfe no longer has access to the questions verbatim. She says there were just a few questions, the first one being:
Are you planning on competing this weekend as of now? Yes? No? I’m not sure.
A second question was: If you are planning on competing, are you comfortable with the competition starting at noon, shortly after the tribute for Đukić, or do you want to start later in the afternoon?
“There were one or two more questions, but I don’t recall the exact nature of them,” Rolfe says, adding that the main thing was about whether or not the athlete wanted to compete.
Also, during this time, the 20 representatives reconvene in a room upstairs in Dickies Arena to continue the conversation.
[Related: Laura Horvath Withdraws From the 2024 CrossFit Games]
The meeting begins with Chief Brand Officer Nicolle Carroll making a short speech.
Approximately 8:30 p.m.: The survey results are in, and Castro opens his laptop and reports the result to the athlete and coach reps: 78 percent of athletes say they will compete.
9:09 p.m.: The CrossFit Games sends out an email to the athletes saying “The 2024 CrossFit Games will continue tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. with a tribute honoring Lazar. Gates to the venue will be opening at 9 a.m. Competition will begin with Teams at 11 a.m. and Individuals at 12:20 pm.”
Featured image: Carlos Fleury
CrossFit Community Looks to Athletes on Social Media, Aims to Connect With Đukić Family
“You Loved the Sport That Didn’t Love You Back”: Luka Đukić Comments on Brother Lazar’s Death
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