U.S. swimmer's body to be handed over to U.S. authorities

By the CNN Wire Staff

October 25, 2010 -- Updated 0629 GMT (1429 HKT)

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (CNN) -- U.S. Swimming Federation authorities expect to receive the body of Fran Crippen Monday. The star open-water swimmer died Saturday during the last leg of the Marathon Swimming World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

"In respect for his memory" the International Swimming Federation (FINA) cancelled the remaining heats in the UAE in the wake of Crippen's death, according FINA's website.

The loss of Crippen, 26, hit hard in suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he grew up in a family of swimmers who trained and began competing there. Crippen was on target to achieve his goal of being an Olympian -- a dream cut short.

"We're all grieving. We're all in shock," said Richard Shoulberg, his longtime prep-school coach.

Doctors determined that severe fatigue was behind Crippen's sudden death, UAE Swimming Federation Secretary Saeed Al Hamour said Sunday.

However, Ahmed Ibrahim, the head of the water sports club in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, said earlier that preliminary tests showed that he suffered a heart attack.

The official report released by the UAE Swimming Federation made no mention of a heart attack.

"We do not know," Shoulberg said about the cause of death, adding that Crippen was "fit as a fiddle."

Crippen died Saturday during the last leg of the Marathon Swimming World Cup in Fujairah, the International Swimming Federation said in a news release.

The cause of death is under investigation, the federation said.

In a conversation with Shoulberg 12 hours before the race, Crippen said that the outside temperature was 100 degrees and that the water was 87 degrees.

The high temperatures have led to some speculation that it may have contributed to the death.

However, Al Hamour denied any reports that Crippen's death may have been caused by water temperature or cleanliness.

"The competition was monitored and supervised by the International Swimming Federation. All security measures were taken care of as needed," Al Hamour said. "We've organized so far 14 competitions and championships and never had any death."

Swimming World magazine reported that Crippen fell unconscious during the event and was found by deep-sea divers two hours later near the race's final buoy.

Crippen won bronze in the 10-kilometer event at the 2009 FINA World Championships and was the gold medalist in the same event at the 2007 Pan American games, according to USA Swimming.