Sad news: Fran Crippen, 26, passes away

ASCA reacts (7April11) www.swimnews.com/.../8578 Crippen Inquiry: ASCA Asks FINA To Account In response to news revealed by SwimNewsthat FINA has sent back the first report of the Fran Crippen inquiry to the Task Force it appointed to investigate the death of the American swimmer in the UAE in October last year, John Leonard, Executive Director of the American Swim Coaches Association, has written to Cornel Marculescu, FINA's executive director, to voice his concerns. That letter in full: Dear Cornel, In the Aquatics World Magazine published by FINA, 2011/No2, under the article "Shanghai is Getting Ready", Mr. Barelli of Italy is quoted as saying, "moreover the final report made by the FINA Task Force in charge of investigating the cause and circumstances surrounding the tragic death of open water swimmer Fran Crippen (USA) will be ready soon. (This was a FEBRUARY publication.) By appointing an independent task force, FINA wanted to assure the maximum transparency and complete truth on what happened last October in Fujairah (UAE)." Cornel, now we are given to understand that the FINA report will not be available until after the Bureau meets in July in Shanghai. This begs the definition of "SOON". Second, we are told via the media and in direct reports from others, that the TASK FORCE did indeed deliver a report to FINA and it was "sent back" for revisions. This begs the definition of "INDEPENDENT", "MAXIMUM TRANSPARENCY, and "TRUTH". The conclusions that most in the world would draw is that things in the original report existed that were not sought by FINA and might in fact be detrimental or damaging to FINA. Again, the definition of "TRUTH" is absolutely at risk here. Please tell me why a distinguished panel of experts would be assembled by FINA with the intent, one would presume and your previous FINA communications on this topic would confirm, of improving the safety of FINA events and determining the cause of Mr. Crippen's death. So which is it, did you object to the distinguished panel's findings regarding safety requirements, or was the original report critical of FINA in the circumstances of Mr. Crippen's death? If they exceeded their Task Force charge in some way, was it in regard to their recommendations for safety, or their recommendations relating to the manner in which FINA is governed and administered? Why would an organization seeking "Maximum Transparency and Complete Truth" behave in this manner? OR perhaps Mr. Barelli, the "Honorary Secretary" of FINA was not speaking for the organization when he was quoted in FINA's official publication, 2011/2? Cornel, since i am neither a member of FINA, nor a representative of a National Federation, I realize you are under no obligation to respond to my questions, but I wish to assure you that I will be asking them continuously, loud and long, until FINA provides some adequate response. Sincerely, John Leonard American Swimming Coaches Association

ASCA reacts (7April11) www.swimnews.com/.../8578 Crippen Inquiry: ASCA Asks FINA To Account In response to news revealed by SwimNewsthat FINA has sent back the first report of the Fran Crippen inquiry to the Task Force it appointed to investigate the death of the American swimmer in the UAE in October last year, John Leonard, Executive Director of the American Swim Coaches Association, has written to Cornel Marculescu, FINA's executive director, to voice his concerns. That letter in full: Dear Cornel, In the Aquatics World Magazine published by FINA, 2011/No2, under the article "Shanghai is Getting Ready", Mr. Barelli of Italy is quoted as saying, "moreover the final report made by the FINA Task Force in charge of investigating the cause and circumstances surrounding the tragic death of open water swimmer Fran Crippen (USA) will be ready soon. (This was a FEBRUARY publication.) By appointing an independent task force, FINA wanted to assure the maximum transparency and complete truth on what happened last October in Fujairah (UAE)." Cornel, now we are given to understand that the FINA report will not be available until after the Bureau meets in July in Shanghai. This begs the definition of "SOON". Second, we are told via the media and in direct reports from others, that the TASK FORCE did indeed deliver a report to FINA and it was "sent back" for revisions. This begs the definition of "INDEPENDENT", "MAXIMUM TRANSPARENCY, and "TRUTH". The conclusions that most in the world would draw is that things in the original report existed that were not sought by FINA and might in fact be detrimental or damaging to FINA. Again, the definition of "TRUTH" is absolutely at risk here. Please tell me why a distinguished panel of experts would be assembled by FINA with the intent, one would presume and your previous FINA communications on this topic would confirm, of improving the safety of FINA events and determining the cause of Mr. Crippen's death. So which is it, did you object to the distinguished panel's findings regarding safety requirements, or was the original report critical of FINA in the circumstances of Mr. Crippen's death? If they exceeded their Task Force charge in some way, was it in regard to their recommendations for safety, or their recommendations relating to the manner in which FINA is governed and administered? Why would an organization seeking "Maximum Transparency and Complete Truth" behave in this manner? OR perhaps Mr. Barelli, the "Honorary Secretary" of FINA was not speaking for the organization when he was quoted in FINA's official publication, 2011/2? Cornel, since i am neither a member of FINA, nor a representative of a National Federation, I realize you are under no obligation to respond to my questions, but I wish to assure you that I will be asking them continuously, loud and long, until FINA provides some adequate response. Sincerely, John Leonard American Swimming Coaches Association