American Olympian Fran Crippen, 26, Dies During Race in United Arab Emirates

Francis Crippen, age 26, and a bronze medal winner for America in the Olympics, died during a World Cup Marathon Swimming event, reports Reuters. The cause of his death has not yet been identified. He had informed his coach he wasn't feeling well prior to his death, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Water Temperature of 86 Degrees

Fran Crippen died in the United Arab Emirates, near Dubai. The water temperature during the race was at about 86 degrees. Could Crippen have had a problem with dehydration due to the heat of the water?

Fran did not finish the race. It was discovered after the race that he was missing. This tragic event ends the life of an athlete who was often described as very caring to other people.

Fran Crippen: Olympic Medal

Crippen won a bronze medal at the Olympics in Canada in July 2010. His death is enormously shocking. This is the first death that has ever occurred during a FINA event. The world of sports has lost a young man who had already achieved enormous success in his athletic career.

Bill Rose, who had Crippen on his team for several years told the Los Angeles Times "open water swimming would be changed because of this kind of tragedy and there would be repercussions felt in the sport."

Fran Crippen grew up outside of Philadelphia. In college he was on the swim team at the University of Virginia. Some of his siblings are involved in the sport of swimming too.

America will deeply mourn this young star of swimming. And the thoughts of the world are with the family and friends of this young man as they handle his very unexpected death.

Sources:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE69M22W20101023

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2010/10/fran-crippen-open-water-swimming.html

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/breaking/sports_breaking/20101023_Fran_Crippen__U_S__national_swimmer__dies_in_overseas_race.html

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/news/story?id=5718372