Due to expected high air and water temperatures on race day, USA Swimming, the athletes and coaches came to a consensus that the four Americans scheduled to swim in the August 27 10-kilometer open water event at the 2017 World University Games in Taipei will not compete given the likely conditions.
USA Swimming would like to thank FISU and the local organizing committee for their diligent work on developing an excellent course and safety plan for the event.
As a sport, open water swimming presents a number of variables, including, in this instance, weather and water temperature. The safety of its athletes is USA Swimming’s No. 1 priority, and this decision was made after thorough examination of all available information.
The four swimmers who qualified for the World University Games – Katy Campbell, Becca Mann, Taylor Abbott and David Heron – earned the right to represent Team USA on the international stage based on their performances at the 2017 Open Water National Championships, and USA Swimming will examine future international competitive opportunities for these athletes.
The above press release courtesy of USA Swimming
.png "2017 World University Games - logo"){kind=logo}
The swimming community should never forget the tragic death of USA Open Water swimmer Fran Crippen, who died in 2010 during an Open Water competition due to excessively warm water temperatures.
He died due to terrible lifeguarding
More like water conditions
If it were terrible lifeguarding, why didn’t we hear more about investigations, law suits, etc…
Michelle P Nicholos partly because it was in another country
Always safety first. Thanks USA swimming to taking care of our athletes!
That’s a shame. But yes, the safety of the athletes is always first!
Go Team USA!
How hot will the water/air temperature be?
Yesterday was 84, today is 82
Michelle P Nicholos Well I can see that 84 for 10K plus air temp could be a might too warm.
FINA rule 60.8 degree F to 87.8 degree F
The top end of that needs to be lowered quite a bit.
safety first
Sash Corris-Nordengen
I knew Fran Crippen. Our colleges competed with each other. He was one of the greatest distance swimmers/open water swimmers of his time, but moreover, he was a good person. We don’t need to lose any more athletes due to high water temperature, or even poor water conditions. So thank you USA swimming for doing the right thing
“a good person” when I look at our swim team – thats what I see – character, and “good kids”…. it seems the strength, physical and mental, that swimming requires brings out the best in these athletes…. makes my heart happy to hear about Fran – thanks for sharing!!
If FINA could supply actual open water/ocean lifeguards with real rescue experience (bondi AUS, LA county, Jones Beach, Honolulu, etc) everyone would be a lot safer. The tragedy a few years back was 100% preventable.
Is shipping to Belize possible?
Please confirm and also if you accept VISA or MASTER CARD for payment for an international order.
Regards,
Evan goldberg
JAY SUPPLY INC
Murron Becca M makes the international stage and gets cancelled ?
She just competed in 25k at Worlds and has been on the international stage for several years. She has yet to peak, coming off injury last year.
Sad but we must remember safety should always be #1.
Good call!
Good call. But seriously, global warming.
I agree Open Water is no joke. Error on the side of caution
They should have held the race on one of the mountain lakes. That would have been much cooler.
Swimming a mile in anything above 75 degrees is tasking the cardiovascular system. Swimming a 10k in 84 is deadly. Congrats on the decision.
Awww! So sorry! Better to be safe!!
Anyone know what the athletes wanted to do? Did they have a say in this decision? Just curious….