The 26-year-old, a contender to win a gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics, died during a 10km open water race in the United Arab Emirates after losing consciousness.

It was the first death in world governing body FINA's 102-year history and with the safety of the event thrust under the spotlight, the open water season has been delayed by three months as investigations continue into the incident.

The tragedy has also put pressure on London 2012 to ensure the highest standards of safety and they have revealed they are working hard to ensure these are met.

A London 2012 spokesperson told insidethegames: "The course at Hyde Park is set to be six laps totalling 10km, with an expected temperature at competition time of 20-21 degrees centigrade.

"LOCOG is studying various data sets, such as depth studies, water temperature and water quality to ensure that our safety measures are based on the best possible information."

The London 2012 spokesperson added that organisers are in constant consultation with FINA regarding the safety of the event.

They said: "LOCOG is working closely with FINA's technical open water swimming committee on plans for the marathon swimming races.

"Water safety is integral to LOCOG's plans.

"The nature of open water swimming means that the exact course and the environmental conditions at each venue vary with regards to water depths, currents and water temperatures.

"For example the FINA World Championships open water events in Melbourne in 2007 were held in the sea, whereas in 2008 in Beijing they were held in a flat water rowing lake.

"Safety measures applied to the London 2012 marathon swimming course will be specifically designed for our particular course and environmental conditions with regards to numbers and types of boats, lifeguards and medical staff."

British Swimming has approached organisers over safety measures, which will be first implemented during an Olympic test event in August.

This will be by invitation and feature a similar number of swimmers as the 2012 Olympics, while athletes will be selected on the back of their performances at the World Championships in Shanghai.

A decade ago British Swimming developed a protocol for health and safety in a whole host of open water events but the death of Crippen has caused a review of those standards.

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October 2010: London 2012 medal contender dies in open water event