Crippen memories fresh in minds of competitors

DUBAI - Ryan Lochte has revealed the untimely loss of compatriot Fran Crippen is serving as an extra motivational force to the American swimmers in their quest for medals.

By Alex Leach

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Published: Fri 17 Dec 2010, 12:05 AM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 4:57 AM

Crippen died while participating in the last race of FINA’s 2010 10km series in Fujairah on October 23, less than two months before the start of the governing body’s World Swimming Championships (25m) currently being held at the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Sports Complex.

Memories of the open water champion are still fresh in the minds of many competitors representing the stars and stripes here and Lochte admits his tragic end provides an additional spur to perform well at this tournament.

“Fran was a good friend of mine and it’s a tragedy what happened,” the 26-year-old, who has broken Championships Records in the men’s 200m freestyle and men’s 400m individual medley successively over two days in Dubai, said.

“I know that Team USA – and all of the United States – is supporting the Crippen family.

“But, we know that he is right there next to us and cheering us on, so knowing that gives us an extra little push.”

FINA have set up a taskforce to investigate the circumstances surrounding Crippen’s death and the governing body’s president, Julio C Maglione, has vowed the inquiry panel will be thorough in their approach.

“The biggest tragedy is FINA’s history happened last October 23 in Fujairah and FINA immediately established a taskforce formed of several experts in different areas, including two members proposed by United States Swimming,” he said.


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