Full story:
www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/.../25369.asp
Excerpt:
Passages: Fran Crippen, 26 - FINA, USA Swimming Release Statements -- October 23, 2010
FUJAIRAH, United Arab Emirates, October 23. SHORTLY after the FINA Open Water 10K World Cup swim today in the UAE, United States swimmer Fran Crippen, 26, passed away after falling unconscious during the race.
With the water in the mid-to-high 80s, the competitors all finished and noticed that Crippen had not crossed the finish line. Meet management brought in deep sea divers, who found Crippen unconscious just before the final buoy nearly two hours later. He was transported to the Fujairah Hospital and later died according to information provided to Swimming World. Conflicting reports state that he was found dead on the course.
Crippen had shown signs of slowing down during the third lap of the five-lap race. When Crippen did not immediately finish, a fact noticed by teammate Alex Meyer who screamed for help, the competing swimmers rushed back into the water to help with the search.
Information provided to Swimming World demonstrates that the water was likely too hot for the event as several swimmers were treated for heat exhaustion after the race....
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I was shocked to see this news. I saw him at last year's NYC ProSwim at Governors' Island. He's one of the few famous swimmers I have ever seen. I remember him waving to the watchers when finishing the race. S
yes... thats the first thing i thought of when i heard this sad news. after the NY 10k, fran was the only swimmer to come over and thank the spectators for coming. he also recently interrupted his own race to help a teammate who was struggling get back to the pack.... truly a class act, and doubly tragic that none of the other swimmers that saw him having difficulties paused to assist him. :(
I was shocked to see this news. I saw him at last year's NYC ProSwim at Governors' Island. He's one of the few famous swimmers I have ever seen. I remember him waving to the watchers when finishing the race. S
yes... thats the first thing i thought of when i heard this sad news. after the NY 10k, fran was the only swimmer to come over and thank the spectators for coming. he also recently interrupted his own race to help a teammate who was struggling get back to the pack.... truly a class act, and doubly tragic that none of the other swimmers that saw him having difficulties paused to assist him. :(