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....
This is sad indead. Water too hot can really create a problem. In 1964 the race in Alexandria Egypt many of the swimmers left the water because of the heat. I drank 20 or more Coca Cola to cool off during the race.
Wow, sad and shocking. I cannot understand when he was seen to be struggling and said he wasn't feeling well, no-one was looking out for him. Seems there were not enough escorts out there :(
My heart goes out to the family.
I too was SHOCKED, to say the least. I found out this evening just looking around on Facebook when I saw some posts. Just sad and tragic.
Thing is these guys are so tough and physically and mentally can take so much its not like them to complain or say "I'm not feeling well". When they do say stuff like this officials REALLY need to pay close attention. If in fact it turns out to be true I just think its ridiculous that boats/escorts where only paying attention to the lead group. The MAJORITY of the races are not in the lead group! There needs to be some sort of ratio of escort to swimmer going forward....something.
That being said I'm sure an autopsy will be performed. Having swam in Key West just this past June in 91 degree water, I will tell you its neither easy or fun. I wanted out after about 5 minutes of my 1 hr 45 min leg.
RIP Fran.
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. Such a sudden tragedy must be extremely hard for his family.
This tragedy just shows that anything could happen, regardless how capable a swimmer you are. Never be negligent to your health conditions before or during a big swim.
On another note, a lane mate of mine was just complaining to me that the pool water was always too cold.
So the race organizers are saying"we followed FINA guidelines" and FINA is saying"he over exerted himself",like it's his fault.Obviously the safety protocol was inadequate.It is a shame that such a fine person should have to pay the ultimate price for someone else's poor judgment.
Such a tragedy, my heart is with his family and his friends.
I'm very surprised that there is no upper limit on water temperature in OW swimming. Maybe that will change if it is determined to be the decisive factor here.
doubly tragic that none of the other swimmers that saw him having difficulties paused to assist him. :(
I have a hard time putting any blame on the other swimmers. Who knows what they even saw? Perhaps Fran looked tired out there, but looking tired isn't reason enough for the other swimmers to interfere. I'm guessing by the time it was obvious that Fran was clearly in distress all the other swimmers had passed him by. However, this is exactly the kind of thing the safety personnel at the event should be looking for and it's a real shame they did not.
