On October 23, 2010, Fran Crippen — an open water World Championship medalist — died tragically competing in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, during the last race of FINA's 10K Marathon Swimming World Cup. Crippen was 26 years old.

In order to continue Crippen's legacy, friends and family created the Fran Crippen Elevation Foundation. The FC Elevation Foundation empowers athletes who epitomize the values Crippen possessed as they strive to elevate themselves, by providing aid for athletes and advocating for safe competitive environments.

Crippen, who was admired greatly by the swimming community at large, was memorialized Monday on the anniversary of his death.

Fran Crippen legacy, we will pass on and teach the next generation of swimmers to emulate his passion and his... https://t.co/mV1cENtNDt

— Bluefish Swim Club (@bluefishswim) October 23, 2017