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SHANGHAI (AP) — Athletes competing in the open water events at the swimming world championships will be monitored by a high-tech sonar safety system, a response by local organizers to the death of American Fran Crippen in the United Arab Emirates last year.
The system involves an overlay that covers the entire 2.5-kilometer (1.55-mile) rectangular course, sending out a ping once every second.
"I'm not a technical expert but my understanding is that on the sonar screen on the referee's boat if there is a signal that a swimmer drops one meter (yard) below the surface, the referee can then take immediate measures and send in a rescue team," said Dennis Miller of Fiji, the open water bureau liaison for swimming governing body FINA.
The system was developed by Ronnie Wong of Hong Kong, the chairman of FINA's technical open water swimming committee. It reportedly cost $300,000.
Crippen, a six-time U.S. national champion, died in October near the end of a 10-kilometer marathon World Cup event in warm temperatures. No one noticed him slip beneath the surface and his body was not found until two hours later.
Racing in Jinshan City Beach opens Tuesday with the women's 10-kilometer event.
Water temperatures have been reported near the newly recommended limit of 31 degrees Celsius (88 Fahrenheit).
The venue, located about an hour's drive from Shanghai, is a man-made embankment, with sea water pumped in through a floodgate. The sea water is supposed to turn clear after treatment, although it is still relatively dark.
Coaches were informed of the sonar system for the first time at a team meeting Monday.
"It sounds like a great idea," said U.S. coach Jack Fabian. "Anything to keep track of people is a good idea."
Fabian, who was at the race where Crippen died, said the route for improved safety in open water is by securing "surveillance and rescue." He would like to see standards for lifeguards at races.
An independent task force appointed by FINA to investigate Crippen's death reported in April that "inadequate surveillance and safety measures made it difficult, and at times impossible to recognize and act upon an athlete in distress."
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The system involves an overlay that covers the entire 2.5-kilometer (1.55-mile) rectangular course, sending out a ping once every second.
"I'm not a technical expert but my understanding is that on the sonar screen on the referee's boat if there is a signal that a swimmer drops one meter (yard) below the surface, the referee can then take immediate measures and send in a rescue team," said Dennis Miller of Fiji, the open water bureau liaison for swimming governing body FINA.
The system was developed by Ronnie Wong of Hong Kong, the chairman of FINA's technical open water swimming committee. It reportedly cost $300,000.
Crippen, a six-time U.S. national champion, died in October near the end of a 10-kilometer marathon World Cup event in warm temperatures. No one noticed him slip beneath the surface and his body was not found until two hours later.
Racing in Jinshan City Beach opens Tuesday with the women's 10-kilometer event.
Water temperatures have been reported near the newly recommended limit of 31 degrees Celsius (88 Fahrenheit).
The venue, located about an hour's drive from Shanghai, is a man-made embankment, with sea water pumped in through a floodgate. The sea water is supposed to turn clear after treatment, although it is still relatively dark.
Coaches were informed of the sonar system for the first time at a team meeting Monday.
"It sounds like a great idea," said U.S. coach Jack Fabian. "Anything to keep track of people is a good idea."
Fabian, who was at the race where Crippen died, said the route for improved safety in open water is by securing "surveillance and rescue." He would like to see standards for lifeguards at races.
An independent task force appointed by FINA to investigate Crippen's death reported in April that "inadequate surveillance and safety measures made it difficult, and at times impossible to recognize and act upon an athlete in distress."
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