Former Wahoo Swimmer Dies in U.A.E. Open Water Race

Fran Crippen, a star swimmer at Virginia who returned to world-class competition last year to chase his dream of being an Olympian, died during an open-water race in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday.

Crippen, 26, reportedly was struggling late in the 10-kilometer race, held in 100-degree weather, and told a team coach he wasn't feeling well. When he failed to finish, other competitors dove back in to look for him, along with divers. His body was found about two hours later.

Maddy Crippen, Fran’s sister, said her brother had voiced concerns about safety.

"My goal is to talk to everyone who was there and to hear exactly who was there and what safety measures were there," Maddy Crippen said of her brother in an appearance on "Good Morning, America."

Although the findings of an autopsy have not been released, preliminary reports indicate Fran Crippen, 26, died of a heart attack near the end of the 10-kilometer race off the shore of the United Arab Emirates.

Crippen, a two-time ACC Swimmer of the Year and a 12-time All-American as a Cavalier, got into the open water circuit after he graduated in 2006. The 10K open water event was first featured in the Olympics last summer in Beijing, and Crippen was hoping to qualify for the 2014 games.