The shocking death of Lazar Đukić at the 2024 CrossFit Games has left a sour taste in the mouths of multiple athletes. Namely, some of the competitors were extremely shaken up by the incident and felt that the best way to move forward was to withdraw from the competition. The list includes both individual and team athletes that have withdrawn from the competition.
Day one of the 2024 CrossFit Games featured a shocking turn of events where one of the most elite competitors ended up drowning. After that, it was unclear whether the competition would go on or be halted. With 200 athletes competing, many had conflicting opinions. So, when the organizers announced that the competition would move forward, some of the athletes made personal decisions to withdraw.
List of Athletes Who Withdrew Because of Lazar Đukić’s Death
- Karin Freyova
- Elliot Simmonds
- Kristóf Horváth
- Jamie Simmonds
- Mia Hesketh
- Laura Horvath
- Jeffrey Adler
- Luka Đukić
- Team C23 CrossFit The Progrm Motion
Karin Freyova was one of the first athletes to withdraw from the 2024 CrossFit Games. She announced her decision on Instagram, fully expressing her emotions.
“I am withdrawing from this year’s CrossFit Games. I am very disappointed with the way the CrossFit Games organization behaved towards the athletes. Not only did they neglect safety, but they also disrespected one of us and continued with the competition. I’m disappointed in the CrossFit community when they don’t stick together in these difficult times. I also trained hard because of this one weekend, but my pain from losing Lazar is stronger than my ego or power of money,” wrote Freyova.
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Team CrossFit Walleye also withdrew, sharing a heartfelt message on their Instagram. Three members of the team co-authored the message, and those were Elliot Simonds, Jamie Simmonds, and Kristof Horvath.
The 2023 Fittest Woman on Earth, Laura Horvath, was also tagged in the aforementioned post, and was later confirmed that she has officially withdrawn as well. She is also the sister of Kristof Horvath, who is a part of Team CrossFit Walleye.
Check out the statement here:
The 2023 Fittest Man On Earth, Jeffrey Adler has also decided to withdraw from the competition. He respected the decision of other athletes to continue competing, but was deeply moved by the passing of his fellow athlete. Apart from Adler, Lazar’s brother Luka and team C23 CrossFit The Progrm Motion have also pulled out.
Check out Adler’s statement here:
It is currently unclear if more athletes withdrew from the 2024 CrossFit Games, but we will make sure to update this article as soon as more information comes out. It is important to point out that some other accomplished athletes, including Chandler Smith and Jacqueline Dahlstrøm have expressed how they believe that the 2024 CrossFit Games should have been canceled. However, neither of them has announced their withdrawal from the competition yet.
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