Fran Crippen was posthumously inducted in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2010.

26-year-old Fran Crippen was the emotional and inspirational leader of the USA Swimming National Open Water Swimming Team and a dynamic personality on the professional marathon swimming circuit that began after a successful transition from the pool.

During his quick rise to the top echelon of professional marathon swimming, he also became a personable ambassador of the sport.

His love of the sport of marathon swimming was always shared with fans, the media, his teammates and rivals. The stories among the athletes about Fran are imbued with deep sadness, a heartfelt respect and a joy of knowing him as a friend and athlete.

At the time of his tragic death during a professional marathon race in the United Arab Emirates, he was second in the overall point standings on his first full season on the FINA 10KM Marathon Swimming World Cup circuit. He won six national titles in America, two FINA 10KM Marathon Swimming World Cup titles, a bronze in the 2009 World Swimming Championships 10K, a gold in the 2007 Pan American Games 10K, a silver in the 2010 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships 10K and finished 4th in the 2010 World Swimming Championships 10K in a career that was unfortunately cut short.

For more information, visit the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame website.

Copyright © 2010 by Steven Munatones