It is easy to argue that the greatest tragedy in the history of swimming is the loss of Fran Crippen, who died in 2010 during a FINA sanctioned open water race in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. The death was linked to high-water temperatures and a lack of proper meet management. Since first competing in the sport in 2006, he became one of America’s leading performers and a well-recognized, well-respected voice for open water swimming around the world. Crippen (April 17, 1984 - Oct. 23, 2010) died at the age of 26. Until then, no athlete had ever lost his or her life in a FINA event.