At USA Swimming’s Golden Goggles awards gala last night in New York City, America’s hottest stars – Ryan Lochte and Rebecca Soni – were rightly honored…and the entire community paid tribute to Fran Crippen.
Ryan dedicated his award to his friend. When Teresa Crippen, Fran’s younger sister, decided to swim for Ryan’s college, Fran asked him to take care of Teresa as if she was his younger sister.
That is what Fran wanted…making sure everyone was taken care of. Whatta a swimmer. Whatta an athlete. Whatta a man.
Southern California native, born 1962, is the creator of the WOWSA Awards, Oceans Seven, Openwaterpedia, Citrus Corps, World Open Water Swimming Association, Daily News of Open Water Swimming, Global Open Water Swimming Conference. He is Chief Executive Officer of KAATSU Global and KAATSU Research Institute. Inductee in the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Swimmer, Class of 2001) and Ice Swimming Hall of Fame (Honor Contributor - Media, Class of 2019), recipient of the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Poseidon Award (2016), International Swimming Hall of Fame's Irving Davids-Captain Roger Wheeler Memorial Award (2010), USA Swimming's Glen S. Hummer Award (2007, 2010) and Harvard University's John B. Imrie Award (1984). Served on the FINA Technical Open Water Swimming Committee and as Technical Delegate with the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games, and 9-time USA Swimming coaching staff. Note: WOWSA only recommends products or services used or recommended by the community. WOWSA does not receive compensation for links or products mentioned on this site or in blog posts. If it does, it will be indicated clearly on that specific post. See WOWSA's privacy policy for more information.