An athlete drowned during a swimming event at a CrossFit competition in Texas on Thursday, the organization said.
The death occurred on the first day of the CrossFit Games, being held in Fort Worth through Sunday. The events have been canceled for the rest of the day, CrossFit said.
CrossFit CEO Don Faul said during a press briefing he is “gutted” by the death of the athlete, whose name has not been released.
The Fort Worth Fire Department responds to Marine Creek Lake in Fort Worth, Texas, Aug. 8, 2024.
WFAA
“We’ll continue to be focused on our community and the family through this tragic set of circumstances,” Faul said.
The incident occurred Thursday morning in Marine Creek Lake. The Fort Worth Fire Department responded around 8 a.m. local time to a call regarding a CrossFit Games participant who went missing in the water, authorities said.
First responders used dive teams and a drone to find the person, who was recovered from the water about an hour after the dive team response, authorities said.
The body of the athlete has been transferred to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner and the name will be released pending family notification, police said.
“There’s a lot of people in the community that are hurting right now, that are really sad, that knew the athlete well, that loved, respected this person,” Faul said. “A lot of people are in mourning.”
Faul said CrossFit is cooperating with authorities in the investigation.
The death occurred during an individual event that included a 3.5-mile run and 800-meter swim, according to the CrossFit schedule.
The swimming portion of the event was being livestreamed on several platforms before abruptly stopping Thursday morning, according to Dallas ABC affiliate WFAA. Livestreams of the event are no longer available on CrossFit Games’ platforms.
Safety personnel were on site during the event, Faul said.
Thirty teams from around the world are competing in the CrossFit Games, which is being held in Texas for the first time in its 18-year history.
CrossFit will be “regrouping” later Thursday to discuss the plan for the remainder of the games, Faul said.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
The CrossFit Games, an annual competition that showcases the fittest athletes in the world, took a tragic turn this year when a young athlete drowned during a water-based event in Texas. The incident occurred during the final day of the competition, leaving participants and spectators in shock and disbelief.
The athlete, whose name has not been released to the public, was competing in a grueling event that involved swimming in a lake as part of the competition. Witnesses reported that the athlete appeared to be struggling in the water before going under and not resurfacing. Despite efforts from lifeguards and medical personnel on site, the athlete could not be revived.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that can come with extreme physical exertion, especially in water-based events. While CrossFit is known for its intense workouts and challenging competitions, safety should always be a top priority for both athletes and event organizers.
In response to the incident, CrossFit Games officials have promised a thorough investigation into what went wrong and have vowed to make any necessary changes to prevent similar tragedies in the future. They have also offered their condolences to the family and friends of the athlete who lost their life.
Athletes and fans of CrossFit are mourning the loss of one of their own, coming together to remember the athlete’s dedication and passion for the sport. The community is rallying around each other in this difficult time, offering support and comfort to those affected by this heartbreaking event.
As the CrossFit Games continue to grow in popularity and attract top athletes from around the world, it is crucial that safety measures are constantly reassessed and improved to prevent accidents like this from happening again. While competition is important, the well-being of athletes should always be the number one priority.
In conclusion, the drowning of an athlete at the CrossFit Games in Texas is a tragic reminder of the risks involved in extreme physical competitions. It is a wake-up call for both athletes and event organizers to prioritize safety above all else, ensuring that future events are conducted in a way that minimizes the chances of such incidents occurring again. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the athlete who lost their life, and we hope that lessons can be learned from this tragedy to prevent similar accidents in the future.
