U.S. Swimmer Dies In Overseas Open-Water Race
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American open-water swimmer Fran Crippen passed away during an event near Dubai today. Several swimmers were treated for heat exhaustion after the race due to the 80-degree plus water temperature.
Fran Crippen, a medal-winning open-water swimmer on the U.S. national team, told his coach he wasn’t feeling well late in a race before he died in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday.
The 26-year-old from a family of prominent swimmers in suburban Philadelphia was competing in the FINA Open Water 10-kilometer World Cup in Fujairah, south of Dubai, but failed to finish and was found in the water two hours later, according to Swimming World.
The magazine said the water temperature was in the mid- to high-80s, and several swimmers were treated for heat exhaustion after the race.