Five-Member Panel to Review Findings in Death of Open Water Swimmer Fran Crippen

Safe Swimming Recommendations Outcome Sought

About.com—November 11, 2010

Former IOC Vice President Richard Pound will chair the five-person Open Water Review Commission appointed by USA Swimming to review the findings of the independent investigation initiated by USA Swimming into the tragic death of Open Water swimmer Fran Crippen on October 23 2010 at a FINA race in the United Arab Emirates.
 
Along with reviewing the findings of the independent investigation, the Commission will solicit and consider other pertinent information from appropriate individuals and organizations and develop recommendations for the improvement of safety protocols, procedures, and precautions arising from the death of Crippen. These recommendations will be presented to USA Swimming as well as FINA, which sanctioned the UAE race. The Commission will make its full report to USA Swimming by the end of March 2011.
"An athlete should never lose his or her life in a sport competition, but when such an incident occurs, it is the duty of the sport community to conduct a thorough and complete review of the situation and factors that may have caused or failed to prevent such a tragedy," said Pound. "This Commission is committed to its charge, which is to provide complete and independent review of all the facts surrounding this tragedy, produce a transparent report and put forth recommendations on safety protocols and procedures so that this sort of incident does not happen again."

The members of the Commission were selected by USA Swimming President Bruce Stratton in consultation with past presidents, USA Swimming Executive Director Chuck Wielgus and U.S. Olympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun.

Dr. Scott Rodeo, Medical Consultant - Dr. Rodeo served as a Team Physician for the United States Olympic Team in 2004 and 2008 and has worked as the Team Physician for the U.S. National Swim Team at four additional international competitions. He currently serves as Associate Team Physician for the NFL's New York Giants and is the Co-Chief, Sports Medicine Service at the Hospital for Special Surgery. He is Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Cornell University and is an Attending Surgeon at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

Read the full story at swimming.about.com.