PHILADELPHIA – U.S. national swimming team member Fran Crippen died during a race in the United Arab Emirates.

The 26-year-old swimmer from suburban Philadelphia was competing in the FINA Open Water 10-kilometer World Cup in Fujairah, south of Dubai, Saturday, 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.

Sunday, the winner of the event said the water and air temperatures were too high to hold a competition.

Thomas Lurz of Germany criticized swimming’s governing body and race organizers Sunday, saying conditions were too hot for racing, that FINA’s schedule was too grueling and that organizers should have done more to ensure swimmers’ safety during the race.

Crippen, from a family of prominent swimmers, was found about 400 meters from the finish, organizers said.

FINA’s president said Sunday that “overexertion” led to Crippen’s death and FINA had launched in investigation into the tragedy.

“What we know initially is that he exerted himself more than he could, that’s what we know,” said FINA President Julio Maglione of Uruguay, attending an International Olympic Committee conference in Acapulco, Mexico. Maglione said he was told that after eight kilometers Crippen informed his coach that he wasn’t feeling well.

Race officials said a medical report and autopsy on Crippen had been completed, but declined to release their full details to the media.

Swimmers complained of the warm water temperatures, but Ayman Saad, executive director of the UAE swimming association, played down heat as a factor, saying that the water temperature was 84 degrees at the start of the race, which was held in the ocean on a triangular 2-kilometer course behind a breakwater.

All safety measures were in place including lifeguards, boats and divers, Saad said, adding that FINA had signed off on everything before the race started.

Usually at open-water races, a boat follows the last swimmer on the course.

“What I think happened is that the swimmers were in various groups. This is what I heard,” FINA executive director Cornel Marculescu told The AP. “On the last feeding station the coach was talking to him. But I really don’t know. We have to wait for the investigation and then we will come up with our position on this. Otherwise it’s only speculation.”

Colorado College defenseman Eamonn McDermott (7) controls a puck against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute forward Chase Polacek (21) in the third period of an NCAA college hockey game Saturday, Oct. 9 at World Arena in Colorado Springs. Photo by KEVIN KRECK, THE GAZETTE

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