Crippen remembered for Olympic passion
Fran Crippen, who died during a World Cup open water race, was remembered Saturday as a loving brother, a fun-loving friend and a swimmer with a passion for his sport.
Crippen, 26, was competing in the FINA Open Water 10-kilometer World Cup in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, last Saturday when he failed to finish and was found in the water two hours later.
Family and friends believe Crippen's death was a preventable tragedy.
Two separate investigations into his death are under way - one conducted by swimming's international governing body, FINA, the other by USA Swimming.
While Crippen's family have said they hope the circumstances of Crippen's death "never happen to anyone else," Saturday's service focused less on Crippen's death than on his enthusiasm for life.
"I know when I was around Fran he made me feel like the most important person in the world and that I could do things that I never dreamed I could accomplish," his girlfriend Caitlin Regan said.
Crippen comes from a swimming family with his three sisters competitive swimmers.
Maddy Crippen competed in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Teresa Crippen is a member of the US national team and Claire Crippen was an outstanding collegiate swimmer.
Crippen earned a bronze medal in the 10km at last year's world championships and had his sights set on the London Games.