STOCKHOLM (AP) - Alexander Dale Oen, a world champion swimmer who was one of Norway's top medal hopes for the London Olympics, died during a training camp in Flagstaff, Arizona. He was 26.
The president of the Norwegian swimming federation, Per Rune Eknes, told The Associated Press in a phone interview that Dale Oen died after suffering a cardiac arrest.
In a statement, the federation said the 100-meter breaststroke world champion was found collapsed on the floor of his bathroom late Monday. He was taken to the Flagstaff Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
"We're all in shock," Norway Coach Petter Loevberg said. "This is an out-of-the-body experience for the whole team over here. Our thoughts primarily go to his family who have lost Alexander way too early."
Hospital spokeswoman Starla Collins confirmed the death, but did not provide further details.