Overexertion blamed after Crippen dies
Source: Agencies |
October 25, 2010, Monday
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Print Edition
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A TOP swimming official in the United Arab Emirates says United States national team member Fran Crippen died of "overexertion" during a race in the country.
The 26-year-old swimmer died on Saturday while competing in the FINA Open Water 10-kilometer World Cup at Fujairah, east of Dubai. Crippen failed to finish and was found in the water two hours later, organizers said.
UAE swimming association's executive director Ayman Saad declined to speculate on whether heat was a factor. Saad said FINA rules require minimum water temperatures but do not set maximum temperatures.
Crippen's former coach, Richard Shoulberg, said Crippen had told him in a recent telephone call that the water was 30.5 degrees Celsius.
UAE officials have canceled an upcoming open water event following Crippen's death in a race at the same location. The FINA 15K Open Water Swimming Grand Prix was scheduled to be held on Wednesday at the same location, but the UAE swimming association yesterday canceled it due to Crippen's death.
Swimmers on Saturday complained of warmer than usual conditions and Fujairah police have opened an inquiry into Crippen's death.
Swimmers were the first to respond when Crippen failed to arrive at the finish. Several returned to the water to search for him and were soon followed by police and coast guard divers. Crippen's body was found just before the last buoy on the 2-kilometer triangular course.
Crippen was the silver medalist in the 10K at the Pan Pacific championships in August, and earned a bronze medal in the 10K at the 2009 world championships.
The 26-year-old swimmer died on Saturday while competing in the FINA Open Water 10-kilometer World Cup at Fujairah, east of Dubai. Crippen failed to finish and was found in the water two hours later, organizers said.
UAE swimming association's executive director Ayman Saad declined to speculate on whether heat was a factor. Saad said FINA rules require minimum water temperatures but do not set maximum temperatures.
Crippen's former coach, Richard Shoulberg, said Crippen had told him in a recent telephone call that the water was 30.5 degrees Celsius.
UAE officials have canceled an upcoming open water event following Crippen's death in a race at the same location. The FINA 15K Open Water Swimming Grand Prix was scheduled to be held on Wednesday at the same location, but the UAE swimming association yesterday canceled it due to Crippen's death.
Swimmers on Saturday complained of warmer than usual conditions and Fujairah police have opened an inquiry into Crippen's death.
Swimmers were the first to respond when Crippen failed to arrive at the finish. Several returned to the water to search for him and were soon followed by police and coast guard divers. Crippen's body was found just before the last buoy on the 2-kilometer triangular course.
Crippen was the silver medalist in the 10K at the Pan Pacific championships in August, and earned a bronze medal in the 10K at the 2009 world championships.
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