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....
race organizers claim event was safe and conditions were fine. how often do race organizers actually participate in the very race they are putting on? how do you really know everything is ok without doing the race yourself?
the folks who run the chesapeake bay swim pride themselves on the fact that for 25+ years of running the event, every swimmer has been accounted for. in fact, when the race is over, the first thing the race director says is something to that effect. I think this past year they had almost one boat/kayak per swimmer (600) across the 4.4 mile course.
Fran, we love you - you will be missed.
race organizers claim event was safe and conditions were fine. how often do race organizers actually participate in the very race they are putting on? how do you really know everything is ok without doing the race yourself?
the folks who run the chesapeake bay swim pride themselves on the fact that for 25+ years of running the event, every swimmer has been accounted for. in fact, when the race is over, the first thing the race director says is something to that effect. I think this past year they had almost one boat/kayak per swimmer (600) across the 4.4 mile course.
Fran, we love you - you will be missed.
