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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Former Member
We can all sit here and think about what went wrong. It is a very sad thing that has happened, a loss of life. Was water temperature at fault? Was it his heart? Many people have suferred heart attacks even in short races. Will we ever know the reason?
The other swimmers are not at fault. When a swimmer passes another swimmer or is ahead of a swimmer they do not know some one is in trouble. The officials should be held responsible. There should be a kayak beside or responsible for each swimmer in an open water event or the event should not be sanctioned.
How many swimmers were in the race? Maybe too many?
We can all sit here and think about what went wrong. It is a very sad thing that has happened, a loss of life. Was water temperature at fault? Was it his heart? Many people have suferred heart attacks even in short races. Will we ever know the reason?
The other swimmers are not at fault. When a swimmer passes another swimmer or is ahead of a swimmer they do not know some one is in trouble. The officials should be held responsible. There should be a kayak beside or responsible for each swimmer in an open water event or the event should not be sanctioned.
How many swimmers were in the race? Maybe too many?
