Immediate Focus Turns to Teammates in the Aftermath of Crippen Tragedy

There are many questions to be asked about the tragedy that happened this morning in UAE that resulted in the death of 26 year old Open Water superstar Fran Crippen. And there will be time for those questions to be asked and answered. This tragedy has shaken the sport to its core, and will likely lead to sweeping investigations of safety procedures and probably cause some swimmers to reconsider their commitment to the sport.

But there are a few things that are important in the immediate aftermath of this story. First of all, the 15k Grand Prix race that is scheduled to take place at the same venue on Wednesday needs to be canceled. Crippen’s death, along with the hospitalization of three of his competitors for heat-related exhaustion, should make that the first priority. Race officials are planning to meet Sunday, once everyone has had time to collect themselves, and reason says that they have no choice but to cancel that race, despite the great distances and expense that many competitors have surely undertaken. Regardless of whether the water was too hot to safely compete, which has become a hot topic in the immediate aftermath, it is clear that this course is not prepared to deal with the safety of the athletes.

After that, the focus needs to be put squarely on Crippen’s three young teammates Christine Jennings, 23 years old, Alex Meyer, 22 years old, and especially Eva Fabian, who is only 17 years old.  Crippen was undoubtedly the leader of the squad. During the Pan Pacific Championships, when he learned that Meyer was struggling physically, Crippen turned back to support him until a jet ski could reach him. Crippen, at 26, was by far the eldest and most veteran swimmer of the group.

To complicate matters further, Jennings and Fabian were both taken to a hospital with suspected heat-related illnesses. The emotional distress that must be overtaking the other members of Team USA is incomprehensible. Not only did they lose their friend and leader, and not only have they been struck with illness, but they have likely been tasked with the huge responsibility of a media firestorm, all in a foreign land with a vastly different culture. Beyond that, people are surely turning to them, as Crippen’s team-and-country-mates, to hold things down until someone else can step in. USA National Youth team coach Jack Roach is already en route to the UAE to ensure arrangements are made to return Crippen’s body to the United States. Once Roach gets there, the young members of the American team rightfully need to be his first priority.

Our thoughts, and if you are of that persuasion prayers, go out to Crippen’s family and his teammates. Crippen has touched the lives of many and his teammates, who are closest to him, will surely be forever affected by his loss. He was a warrior in the water, and an even greater leader of his team.