Human Sacrifice: Athlete Lazar Đukić Left to Die on Camera During CrossFit Games
On August 8th, 2024, during the CrossFit Games in Fort Worth, Texas, 4x CrossFit Athlete Lazar Đukić died on camera, as he was left to drown whilst other athletes crossed the finish line. The horrifying video footage shows the swimmer bobbing up and down in the water in his final moments as he called for help. No lifeguards were present during this event; nor were jet skis available to assist. A spectator jumped in to save the drowning man but was pushed away.
Dave Castro, CrossFit Games Program Director for Individuals; and Adrian Bozman, CrossFit Games Team Events Program Director both bear a personal responsibility for the death of Lazar Đukić. Following the race, the CrossFit Games was forced to acknowledge the tragedy, posting on their social media page, “CrossFit is deeply saddened by the death of a CrossFit Games competitor during the swimming portion of Individual Event 1 at the 2024 CrossFit Games. We are fully cooperating with authorities and doing everything we can to support the family at this time. The remainder of today’s events have been suspended. The well-being of our competitors is our first priority and we are heartbroken by this tragic event.”
As reported “[i]n his interview with James Sprague, Castro shared more insight into how he and Bozman are working together to program the 2024 CrossFit Games. ‘This year early on I said “hey, I’m feeling it, I’m excited, I got it”. He understood the space I need and he kinda gave me the space. For the individual side, I just ran with it,’ shared Castro.” Dave Castro’s interview asserts a level of responsibility, duty, and obligation for the CrossFit Games competition that the public hopes remains sustained throughout the investigation of this tragedy.
The CrossFit Games program director’s reckless behavior must be addressed; and someone must be held responsible for the death of Lazar Đukić. The fact is that Đukić’s death was preventable had the event been better coordinated. Instead, not only did the CrossFit Games directors neglect imposing safety measures to preclude injury; they failed to respond to a clearly distressed athlete. The behavior of those who bear responsibility for the CrossFit Games took recklessness. People were told not to rescue the dying man. The public was forced to watch as the CrossFit Games put the value of their own competition over the life of a human being.
Dave Castro and Adrian Bozman violated God’s natural law; as scribed in the Old Testament, leaders must “[k]eep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent and righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked,” Exodus 23:7 (ESV). Despite the recklessness of the program directors, the CrossFit Games did nothing to attempt to save the dying athlete once he began struggling and fighting for his life. The abandonment of the drowning man escalated the charge of recklessness to an intentional criminal act. The intentional decision was made to allow Lazar Đukić to die, for the betterment of the CrossFit Games competition.
In sum, the CrossFit Games eventgoers did not attend to witness a human sacrifice, yet that is exactly what was produced. As Lazar Đukić took his final breaths, the on-site directors and staff decided not to intervene, as to not disrupt the competition. But a CrossFit competition does not bear more significance than a human life. Dave Castro and Adrian Bozman must now face the public, Đukić’s family, and the Courts. This was not an accident, nor was it negligence; it was recklessness turned intentional, by preventing the rescue of a drowning athlete.
The video below shows Lazar Đukić struggling in his final moments, whilst program directors and staff neglect to provide any assistance; to preclude a disruption of the CrossFit Games competition.
Bibliography
Instagram. (Accessed on August 8th, 2024). Lazar Đukić. https://www.instagram.com/lazadjukic/?hl=en
TheBarbellSpin. (Accessed on August 8th, 2024). Dave Castro Leads Programming for Individuals; Adrian Bozman to Program Team Events. https://thebarbellspin.com/crossfit-games/dave-castro-leads-programming-for-individuals-adrian-bozman-to-program-team-events/