INDIANAPOLIS — U.S. Paralympic swim coach Jimi Flowers died Saturday in a climbing accident in Aspen, Colo., USA Swimming said.

Flowers was USA Swimming's national team director from 1989-93. He also worked at Auburn and the U.S. Olympic Committee.

"We are deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Jimi Flowers," USA Swimming executive director Chuck Wielgus said. "Jimi was a wonderful man and a friend to so many of us in the swimming family and in the Olympic community. Our thoughts and prayers today are with Jimi's family as well as with our friends at U.S. Paralympics."