A 26-year-old affiliate of the U.S. civic pond aggregation died Saturday during an open-water chase in the United Arab Emirates, according to accident officials.

Fran Crippen died during the aftermost leg of the 10-kilometer Marathon Pond World Cup in Fujairah, said the International Pond Federation, or FINA.

The account of afterlife is beneath investigation, FINA said. Pond World annual appear that Crippen fell benumbed during the accident and was begin by abyssal defined two hours afterwards abreast the race's final buoy.

The U.S. Olympic Committee issued a account Saturday adage it was "extremely saddened" to apprentice of Crippen's death.

"We accelerate our condolences and centermost sympathies to the Crippen ancestors as able-bodied as to our absolute pond community," the USOC account said. "While capacity of this tragedy are still forthcoming, we shall accumulate this outstanding adolescent amateur and his ancestors in our thoughts and prayers."

Crippen won brownish in the 10-kilometer accident at the 2009 FINA World Championships and was the gold advocate in the aforementioned accident at the 2007 Pan American Games, according to USA Swimming.

Crippen of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, was aggressive to booty up pond at age 6 afterwards watching earlier sister Maddy Crippen compete. Maddy Crippen was a affiliate of the 2000 U.S. Olympic team, according to USA Swimming.

Crippen accelerating in 2006 from the University of Virginia, area he was alert called Atlantic Coast Conference Swimmer of the Year