Moving Forward Together – 2024 CrossFit Post Games Safety and Procedure Changes
Lazar Dzukic’s death is shocking and weighs heavily on all of us. Lazar was more than just a competitor. He was a beloved member of our community, a friend to many, and an example of perseverance and passion.
investigation process
Immediately after the 2024 CrossFit Games in August, CrossFit engaged a third-party investigation team to investigate the facts surrounding Lazar’s death during Individual Event 1 (Run/Swim) on August 8, 2024, and make recommendations to CrossFit. provided. To increase athlete safety at future CrossFit events. We appreciate your patience as the investigative process unfolds over the past several months. It was important that everyone who wished to speak to investigators was given the opportunity to be heard.
As part of the investigation process, the investigative team conducted dozens of interviews with witnesses and event staff from August to November, visited Marine Creek Lake for a thorough site visit, and visited CrossFit Games operations. I have reviewed many documents and watched many hours of videos. We reviewed footage shot during Event 1 and surrounding media coverage of the 2024 Olympics and previous CrossFit events. Researchers also reviewed industry standards and operating procedures for water safety at professional sporting events and interviewed outside experts on safety standards for open water swims. We also interviewed experts who research medical issues for elite competitive athletes.
CrossFit would like to thank everyone who spoke with investigators and provided testimony, critical evidence, and valuable insight during this difficult time. Due to privacy and legal considerations, we are not publishing the full report. The results of the investigation have been reported to the Board of Directors. Our current focus is on advancing actions to maximize our continued commitment to safety at the CrossFit Games.
CrossFit actions and next steps
We would like to share an overview of the changes we will implement in the future to maintain even higher safety standards at CrossFit Games.
1. Replenishing the CrossFit Sports Leadership Team
CrossFit creates a new senior leadership role responsible for safety at the CrossFit Games. This person will be responsible for centrally managing safety protocols, developing a safety and emergency action plan for the event, overseeing pre-event rehearsals, and coordinating with on-site safety professionals, staff, and athletes. This includes assessing whether the required staffing, expertise and resources are on-site for each event. This person will be responsible for supporting a culture where athletes, staff, and community members feel comfortable raising safety concerns and have a clear path to do so.
This leader will continue to report jointly to Dave Castro, who leads CrossFit’s sports organization, and Don Fall, CEO of CrossFit. They will be expected to provide regular briefings on CrossFit safety plans and posture. We are hiring externally for this role and will begin our search immediately. This role is expected to be filled by the next CrossFit Games season.
2. Establishment of the CrossFit Game Safety Advisory Committee
We have established a CrossFit Games Safety Advisory Board comprised of medical professionals, independent safety experts, and athletes. This independent advisory committee meets regularly before and during the event to assess risks, review safety protocols, provide feedback, and provide additional independent advisory services for athletes with safety-related concerns. Acts as an escalation path. This advisory board will also be present in person at future CrossFit Games in a support and advisory capacity.
CrossFit will employ advisory board members with diverse expertise, including first responders and former athletes, to ensure comprehensive perspective and oversight. CrossFit has begun compiling a list of candidates and plans to announce details about the appointed Safety Advisory Board members by the end of this year.
3. Cancellation of open water swimming events
The cancellation of open water swimming at the CrossFit Games continues. If future CrossFit Games include a swimming element, they will likely be held in a highly controlled environment, such as a pool, where a safety team can closely monitor all athletes.
4. Enhance pre-event rehearsals, communication protocols, and emergency resources.
Beginning with the 2025 CrossFit Games, we will conduct additional on-site rehearsals for all event staff, safety personnel, and volunteers to test safety protocols and communication equipment.
Athletes are accustomed to pre-event briefings before competitions, but we plan to add a stronger, safety-specific section during these briefings in the future. These briefings ensure that athletes are aware of the risks of each event, safety protocols and personnel to mitigate risks, and how to receive assistance if needed. In addition to in-person briefings, written safety measures and protocols will also be distributed to all athletes, providing clear avenues for asking questions, voicing concerns, and escalating safety issues.
CrossFit has an incredible community of volunteers and staff with deep expertise and experience in emergency medicine, water safety and rescue, military special operations, law enforcement, and over 10 years of CrossFit event management experience. I’m lucky. Going forward, CrossFit will ensure that a paramedic team and ambulance are on-site at all events, even if not legally required under local ordinances and regulations.
5. Expand mental health and emotional support resources
We recognize that the health of our athletes goes beyond physical safety, and we feel it is important to provide mental health resources to those who have experienced this tragedy this summer. Integrating mental health professionals into on-site medical teams for the 2025 CrossFit Games season. Mental health professionals are immediately available to assist athletes and staff experiencing mental distress, whether affected by competitive pressures, personal issues, or unforeseen emergencies. corresponds to
6. Establishment of the CrossFit Athlete Council
In addition to the CrossFit Games Safety Advisory Board, we are also providing an opportunity for athletes in the CrossFit community to share feedback and have greater influence over CrossFit’s protocols regarding competition, safety, broader athlete welfare, and the business of sports. Establish a broader athlete council. Unlike previous CrossFit councils, this Athlete Council is elected by fellow athletes and represents athletes from all divisions of the sport.
We look forward to opening up this process to our athletes to ensure representation from across the community. We will announce further details about the Council soon and expect to elect our first Athlete Council members by early 2025.
lastly
These changes reflect CrossFit’s continued commitment to safety. We believe these adjustments will enhance our ability to respond quickly and effectively to any situation while promoting a safer environment for all athletes and event participants.
We are looking forward to the 2025 season and will have important details by the end of the week.
