World champion swimmer Dale Oen dies of cardiac arrest

The Norwegian 2008 Olympic silver medallist collapsed at a training camp in Arizona.

A file photo of Norway's Alexander Dale Oen during the world cup in Shanghai, China.

OSLO // The Norwegian swimming federation has said the world champion Alexander Dale Oen has died during a training camp in Flagstaff, Arizona. He was 26.

Per Rune Eknes, the federation president, said Dale Oen died after suffering a cardiac arrest.

The 100-metre breast stroke world champion was found collapsed on the floor of his bathroom yesterday. He was taken to the Flagstaff Medical Centre.

A hospital spokeswoman confirmed the death, but did not provide further details.

Dale Oen won the 100 breast stroke at the worlds in Shanghai last July and took silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He was one of Norway's top medal hopes for the London Games.

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