open-water

Olympic organisers are already conditioning the Serpentine swans to feed in a stretch of water far from the open-water swimmers – and so Payne is likely to be spared an encounter with an irritable swan to place alongside her outlandish catalogue of open-water companions.

Keri-Anne Payne on the perils of the long-distance Olympic swimmer 2011

Fifteen days ago, on 19 July, Payne won the 10km open-water race at the world championships, and a gold medal for Britain that was eventually matched by her room-mate in Shanghai, Rebecca Adlington, who triumphed in the 800m freestyle.

Keri-Anne Payne on the perils of the long-distance Olympic swimmer 2011

Maddy Crippen, the sister of the former University of Virginia swimmer who died over the weekend competing in an open-water race, said her brother had voiced concerns about safety.

Fran Crippen's sister says swimmer expressed safety concerns Cindy Boren 2010

My first world championships were in Melbourne in 2007 – and it was only my second open-water swim.

Keri-Anne Payne on the perils of the long-distance Olympic swimmer 2011

It's a funny story now, but open-water swimming is like that and you have to deal with it.

Keri-Anne Payne on the perils of the long-distance Olympic swimmer 2011

More than the story of the greatest open-water swimmer, Swimming to Antarctica is a portrait of rare and relentless drive ....

Swimming to Antarctica by Lynne Cox: Book summary 2010

Crippen's death has raised the possibility that a 15-kilometer open-water grand prix that is supposed to be held at the same venue Wednesday could be canceled.

Fran Crippen DEAD: U.S. Swimmer Dies During Open Water 10k Race In Dubai T.J. Ortenzi 2010

PHILADELPHIA — Fran Crippen, a medal-winning open-water swimmer on the U.S. national team, told his coach he wasn't feeling well late in a race before he died in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday.

Fran Crippen DEAD: U.S. Swimmer Dies During Open Water 10k Race In Dubai T.J. Ortenzi 2010

PHILADELPHIA — Fran Crippen, a medal-winning open-water swimmer on the U.S. national team, told his coach he wasn't feeling well late in a race before he died in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday.

Fran Crippen DEAD: U.S. Swimmer Dies During Open Water 10k Race In Dubai The Huffington Post News Team 2010

Bruising physical contact is usually inadvertent – but open-water swimmers are sometimes accused of deliberately trying to hold each other back either through an intentional swipe or grasp of an ankle.

Keri-Anne Payne on the perils of the long-distance Olympic swimmer 2011