The CrossFit Games resumed on Friday, August 9, just one day after the death of one of its participants.

On Thursday, August 8, Lazar Đukić, a 28-year-old resident of Serbia, drowned in Marine Creek Lake in Fort Worth, Texas, while participating in the swimming competition at the CrossFit Games.

Following news of Đukić’s death, CrossFit initially suspended the Games, but in a joint Instagram post by CrossFit and the company’s former CEO, Dave Castro, late Thursday night, the organization announced that competitions would resume on Friday.

“Today is the saddest day in @CrossFit history. We are devastated by the loss of Lazar Đukić and the entire CrossFit community,” they wrote. “Lazar was one of the most talented competitors in our sport, but he was much more than an athlete. He was a son, a brother, and a friend to virtually everyone who knew him.”

In the eulogy, the athlete was described as “extremely competitive, incurably cheerful and unusually friendly” and added that his death was “incomprehensible”.

“The first instinct is to shut down. To isolate. To grieve,” CrossFit and Castro continued. “But the only cure for grief is to grieve. And the best way to grieve is together. In our community, we pay tribute by coming together to do difficult things.”

“It is in this spirit that we have decided to hold the CrossFit Games 2024. This weekend is dedicated to Lazar Đukić,” they continued, announcing that the games would resume on Friday at 10 a.m.

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On Friday morning, the CrossFit Games opened with a tribute to Đukić.

After participants entered the Dickies Arena in all-black CrossFit uniforms, a spokesperson said, “Today we honor Lazar Đukić, a remarkable athlete, brother, son, partner and friend. His competitive spirit, extraordinary kindness and cheerful demeanor will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”

After a minute of silence, the announcer concluded with the words: “We dedicate the 2024 CrossFit Games to Lazar Đukić.”

In a GoFundMe campaign, organizers wrote that they are “taking immediate action to support his loved ones during this time” and had raised $339,590 of their original $200,000 goal as of Friday.

“After years of passionately playing water polo in his home country of Serbia, his debut at the 2021 CrossFit Games marked the beginning of a remarkable career. He had a special relationship with his brother Luka, introducing him to CrossFit and accompanying him on his journey,” the organizers wrote.

They added: “We extend our deepest condolences to his girlfriend Anja, his brother Luka, his friends and family. Lazar’s legacy of approaching life with kindness and humor will always be remembered.”