Atlanta 10/25/2010 8:15:42 PM
News / Sports

Death of US Swimmer Fran Crippen Under Investigation

The U.S. Swimming Federation will begin an investigation into the death of swim star Fran Crippen on Monday when the 26-year-old’s body arrives in the United States. The United Arab Emirates Swimming Federation reported Sunday that severe fatigue contributed to Crippen’s death during the Marathon Swimming World Cup in Fujairah on Saturday.

UAE Swimming Federation Secretary Saeed Al Hamour denied reports that high temperatures may have been a factor in Crippen’s death. He did not comment on reports Crippen had a heart attack. "The competition was monitored and supervised by the International Swimming Federation. All security measures were taken care of as needed. We've organized so far 14 competitions and championships and never had any death,” said Al Hamour.

Crippen, who won a gold medal at the 2007 Pan American games, died during the last leg of the 10-kilometer race. His body was found by divers 400 meters from the finish line.

About 12 hours before the race began, Crippen told his prep-school coach Richard Shoulberg the temperature outside was 100 degrees and the water temperature was 87 degrees. Shoulberg says Crippen was “fit as a fiddle.” “We do not know,” he said of what could have caused Crippen’s death. “We're all grieving. We're all in shock.”

Crippen’s sister Maddy told Good Morning America her brother was concerned about safety measures at swim races. "My goal is to talk to everyone who was there and to hear exactly who was there and what safety measures were there," said Maddy Crippen.

"But the one thing that I do know is that in the months leading up to this event my brother had written letters to different organizing committees about safety, the number of people that were there, the doctors that should be there, the support staff and the lack thereof," she said.

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