Lest We Forget – Fran Crippen & His Mother’s Song Of Sorrow & Salvation in The ‘Reservoir Of Joy’
In memory of Fran Crippen (April 17, 1984 – October 23, 2010) - 'In meditation not long ago and they talked about how you have to have a reservoir of joy to draw on when the sad moments settle in. Believe me, the sad moments still settle in.' - Pat Crippen, Fran's mother
Fran Crippen lost his life in a FINA World Cup race off the coast of the United Arab Emirates with no official USA Swimming staff present 14 years ago this day, 10-23-10. He was 26 years old. His passion and the rich pathway of learning he was on at the time of his passing live on in the work of the Fran Crippen Elevation Foundation (FCEF).
We mark this day, as we have done at SwimNews, SwimVortex and now State of Swimming every year since Fran's passing, with a commemoration of the man, the son, the brother, the grandson, the athlete, this year with an article from our archive recalling the words of his mother, Pat, on the 10th year beyond Fran's preventable death. This winter will see the much-delayed completion of a book celebrating Fran's life and mourning him and all the consequences of the tragic events of October 23, 2010 ... lest we forget, as too many organisers of open water events in the intervening years appear to have. Here's to reminding them.
