After A CrossFit Athlete Died, Some In The Sport Are Calling For Major Changes
CrossFit has been a huge brand in the fitness world for ages, challenging followers to do a range of HIIT workouts to progressively get stronger. But CrossFit is currently facing a scandal after an athlete drowned during the 2024 CrossFit Games.
Although CrossFit classes are open to everyone, the CrossFit Games are a competition for super-athletes. Participants compete for the title of "Fittest on Earth" via heightened versions of common CrossFit movements—plus exercises that wouldn't be in a CrossFit class, like outdoor swimming events.
But the death has raised a lot of questions about safety of CrossFit Games, as well as what the organization plans to do to have more safeguards in place in the future. Here’s what to know about what's happening in CrossFit.
Meet the expert: Albert Matheny, RD, CSCS, a co-founder of SoHo Strength Lab.
What is currently happening in CrossFit?
The CrossFit Games, which have taking place annually since 2007, took place earlier this month. But during the first day of the contest, 28-year-old Serbian athlete Lazar Dukic died during an 800-meter open water swim.
Dukic was ranked the third-best CrossFit athlete in Serbia and was ranked 33rd in men across Europe, per the CrossFit Games website. It was the first death in the Games' 17-year history.
CrossFit canceled the remaining events in the Games on the day of Dukic’s death, but resumed competition the next day. The competitors also held a moment of silence to honor Dukic before competition resumed.
“The only cure for grief is to grieve,” CrossFit said in a statement at the time. “And the best way to grieve is together. In our community, coming together to do hard things is how we pay tribute. In this spirit, we have decided to move forward with the 2024 CrossFit Games.”
But many weren’t happy that the Games resumed, criticizing the organization for not having more safeguards in place to protect struggling athletes.
“CrossFit initiated a third-party investigation within 48 hours of the tragic accident that is actively underway,” a CrossFit spokesperson told Women’s Health. “As the facts are gathered in the coming weeks, we are prepared to take all appropriate actions based on the findings.”
Are people leaving CrossFit?
It does not seem like people are actually leaving CrossFit. Rather, top athletes are calling for more transparency in safety protocols for competitive events.
The Professional Fitness Athletes' Association (PFAA), an advocacy group for CrossFit athletes, is calling for transparency around the investigation into Dukic’s death, the formation of a new independent safety team, and “that Dave Castro be removed from his position in the Sport Team.” (Dave Castro is the creator of the CrossFit Games.)
In an Instagram post, CrossFit athlete and PFAA president Brent Fikowski said he does not believe that "safety is [CrossFit's] priority."
"The nature and foundation of our sport, and what makes our sport unique, is that we don't know what we're going to do," Fikowski told Men's Health. "There's an assumption that if something went wrong, we would be saved. We were wrong."
What happens to CrossFit classes?
As of now, nothing has changed in CrossFit classes. (The CrossFit Games and CrossFit classes are separate.) But Albert Matheny, RD, CSCS, a co-founder of SoHo Strength Lab, says it’s important for the everyday gym-goer to realize that they could get hurt when they push hard in workouts.
“There is no limit in CrossFit, but there is danger when you go harder, faster, and stronger,” he says.
According to a CrossFit spokesperson, CrossFit’s CEO Don Faul “will continue to speak directly with the broader athlete population, as well as coaches and other members of the community, to ensure we understand their perspectives and how we can work together to build greater trust and safety for the future of our sport.”
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