(CNN) -- Preliminary medical tests indicate that a member of the U.S. swimming team had a fatal heart attack during an open-water race in the United Arab Emirates, a swimming official told CNN on Sunday.
"So far, the preliminary medical tests indicate that [Fran] Crippen died of heart attack," said Ahmed Ibrahim, head of the water sports club in Fujairah.
Crippen, 26, died Saturday during the last leg of the 10-kilometer Marathon Swimming World Cup in Fujairah, the International Swimming Federation (FINA) said in a news release.
The cause of death is under investigation, FINA said.
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.
The U.S. Olympic Committee issued a statement Saturday saying it was "extremely saddened" to learn of Crippen's death.
"We send our condolences and deepest sympathies to the Crippen family as well as to our entire swimming community," the USOC statement said. "While details of this tragedy are still forthcoming, we shall keep this outstanding young athlete and his family in our thoughts and prayers".
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.
CNN
