Fran Crippen, a 26-year-old member of the U.S. national swim team, died on Saturday during an open-water race in the United Arab Emirates.
Crippen fell unconscious during the last 10-kilometers of the Marathon Swimming World Cup, and was found by deep-sea divers two hours later.
The U.S. Olympic committee released a statement shortly after the incident:
“We send our condolences and deepest sympathies to the Crippen family as well as to our entire swimming community. While details of this tragedy are still forthcoming, we shall keep this outstanding young athlete and his family in our thoughts and prayers.”
Crippen won bronze in the 10-kilometer event at the 2009 FINA World Championships and was the gold medalist in the same event at the 2007 Pan American Games.
Officials have since come out and confirmed that extreme fatigue was responsible for the death.
This is terrible. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends!
