FINA is Still in Hot Water Over the Death of Fran Crippen

PHOENIX, Arizona, June 3. SWIMMING World CEO Brent Rutemiller writes “FINA is Still in Hot Water Over the Death of Fran Crippen” in the latest Voice for the Sport, which appears in the June 2012 issue of Swimming World Magazine. The column is reprinted in full below:

It has been more than 19 months since the tragic open water drowning of Fran Crippen, who died Oct. 23, 2010 during a FINA-sanctioned 10K open water event in the United Arab Emirates.

The consensus is that he died that day of heat-related causes due to environmental conditions. Richard Shoulberg, Crippen's coach, vowed at the time to lobby for new safeguards so that this would never happen again.

Nearly 20 months after that tragic event, FINA, the international governing body overseeing aquatic sports for the International Olympic Committee, has yet to take the most important step to ensure the long-term safety of the sport. It has failed to legislate a standard that goes to the heart of Crippen's death–it has not ruled on a maximum water temperature in which an open water event can take place.

In other words, FINA has failed to decree a degree.

Give it to us in Celsius. I'll take a range between 29 and 31. The swimming world wants a number, a standard–a FINA “A” cut, if you will.

Instead of acting swiftly and decidedly, FINA has looked toward other “degrees” for the answer–the kind endowed to scholars associated to a task force, a research or a study commission.

It took FINA's original task force six months to publish its findings and recommendations concerning Crippen's death. The report only came to light after a U.S. Open Water Review Commission released its report to the world.

The U.S. report blasted FINA's delay and lack of cooperation regarding the investigation. It instilled a sense of urgency into FINA. Cornel Marculescu, chief executive of FINA, responded by telling SwimNews.com that, “It is very important that (what) happens now is that we get the technical committee working this week with the IOC sports medicine committee and the triathlon federation…. We will establish a working group because we need to have a scientific basis for the temperature levels.”

That was more than 13 months ago, and still no degree decree!

Today, Shoulberg, now president of ASCA, remains true to his mission. However, his frustration with the slow process is documented in USA Swimming's board of directors minutes from Nov. 19, 2011: “Richard Shoulberg asked questions about open water swimming and what FINA is going to do to protect all athletes–United States and international–in these competitions. He feels that things have been pushed to the back. FINA has a report due to be distributed on water temperature from the commission, and then action will need to be taken by FINA.”

Shoulberg expected a final report of FINA's commission when he attended USA Swimming's board of directors meeting, Jan. 28, this year.

Swimming World recently obtained a copy of those minutes. One could almost hear the collective sigh of those in attendance when Dale Neuberger, vice president of FINA, reported on FINA's progress. The minutes stated: “Earlier this week, Dale received a communication from the FINA office related to the open water swimming temperature study. The research study that FINA indicated would be concluded by the end of 2011/early 2012 will now not be completed until May of 2013.”

It appears that the FINA commission never got off the ground–and for that, FINA deserves to be in hot water.

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Video Preview of June Issue

TABLE OF CONTENTS

8 U.S. Olympic Trials Preview by John Lohn
While it would be impossible to highlight every event and storyline on notice at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb., June 25 to July 2, here are a few noteworthy items to watch.

13 Olympic Flashback: 1988-96 by Jeff Commings with special contributions by Steve Johnson

14 Lane Lines to London sponsored by Competitor by Jason Marsteller
This month's Olympic regional spotlight features North America.

19 Defining Moments: D?j? Vu All Over Again! by Jason Marsteller
Sarasota and Middle Tyger hooked up for its fifth consecutive 1-2 combined team finish at the YMCA Short Course Nationals, with the Florida squad claiming their sixth straight title.

20 Nutrition Choices of the Stars by Jeff Commings
This is the first of a three-part series on nutrition choices by some of swimming's elite athletes. This month's focus: pre-workout nutrition.

22 Dryside Training: Train Like an Olympian! by J.R. Rosania

24 Q&A with Coach Tim Murphy by Michael J. Stott 26 How They Train: Chris Satterthwaite by Michael J. Stott

27 Distance per Stroke: How It Works…and Why It Matters! by Michael J. Stott

29 National Age Group Record Setters by Judy Jacob

30 American Relay by Judy Jacob

31 TYR Age Group Swimmer of the Month

32 Goldminds: Power and Pressure by Wayne Goldsmith

Here's how to improve your distance per stroke–and swimming performance–by improving your feel for the water.

DEPARTMENTS
6 A Voice for the Sport
35 For the Record
43 Calendar
46 Parting Shot

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