FORT WORTH, Texas — CrossFit Games announced that some safety and procedural changes will be implemented at its next competition following the tragic drowning of an athlete in a Fort Worth lake.
On Aug. 8, 28-year-old Lazar Đukić drowned while competing in the swimming portion of an event in Marine Creek Lake.
The death was met with much backlash from the CrossFit community, including Lazar’s brother, Luka Đukić, who said, “This is something that could have been prevented and there is no way of going around it.”
After Đukić’s death, the CrossFit Games initiated a third-party investigation, conducting dozens of interviews with eyewitnesses and event staff, reviewing hours of event footage, and examining industry standards and water safety procedures.
While the CrossFit Games said it is not publishing a full report due to privacy and legal considerations, it listed a number of changes that will be implemented for all future competitions.
CrossFit Games’ safety and procedural changes
Supplementing the CrossFit Sport Leadership Team
The CrossFit Games said it is creating a new senior leadership role responsible for safety at the competition.
According to the CrossFit Games, this person will centralize safety protocols, create safety and emergency action plans, oversee pre-event rehearsals and coordinate with on-site safety experts, staff and athletes.
CrossFit Games said this person will work closely with CrossFit Games Founder Dave Castro and CrossFit CEO Don Faul, providing them with regular briefings.
Creating a CrossFit Games Safety Advisory Board
Additionally, a CrossFit Games Safety Advisory Board will be established and it will include an assortment of medical professionals, independent safety experts and athletes.
CrossFit said this board will meet regularly before and during events to assess risks, review safety protocols and provide feedback.
Suspending open-water swimming events
Perhaps the biggest optical change to the CrossFit Games will be the elimination of open-water swimming events.
CrossFit said if there is a swimming component in future competitions, it will be held in a highly controlled environment, such as a pool, where each athlete can be closely monitored.
Enhancing pre-event rehearsals, communications protocols and emergency resources
CrossFit said it will host additional on-site rehearsals for event staff, safety personnel and volunteers to test procedures and communications equipment.
In addition, CrossFit said it will make pre-event briefings with athletes go deeper into the safety portion in order to mitigate risks.
“CrossFit is fortunate to have an incredible community of volunteers and staff with deep expertise and experience, including emergency medicine, water safety and rescue, military special operations, law enforcement, and over a decade of experience running CrossFit events,” CrossFit said on its website. “Moving forward, CrossFit will also ensure paramedic teams and ambulances are on-site at all events even if they are not legally required based on local ordinances and regulations.”
Expanding mental health and emotional support resources
CrossFit said it will be adding mental health professionals to its on-site medical teams, which will be readily available to assist any athlete experiencing emotional distress.
Establishing a CrossFit Athlete Council
Lastly, CrossFit said it will establish an Athlete Council to ensure all athletes can give feedback on protocols, safety and anything to do with the sport.
This board will be elected by athletes and will represent athletes from all divisions, according to CrossFit.
“These changes reflect CrossFit’s continued commitment to safety,” the organization said on its website. “We are confident these adjustments will enhance our ability to respond swiftly and effectively in any situation while fostering a safer environment for all athletes and event participants.”
Following the release of these changes, Lazar’s brother Luka posted once again to his Instagram page criticizing CrossFit for its handling of the incident.
Luka posted the following message to his Instagram page:
No investigation can reveal anything other than the fact that there was no reaction when it was needed.
Shortly after CrossFit Inc. announced their “third-party investigation,” I was informed by a source that they would not be sharing the results. However, I wanted you to hear this directly from them.
This was merely a “let’s buy some time” move until the community forgets and it’s time to cash in on them again.
The next time you consider signing up for the Open, paying your affiliate fee, or letting a few CrossFit Inc.-oriented media pawns influence you, think carefully about giving your money, power, and time to a company that does not value human life.