(ATR) Two French Olympians are among 10 people killed in a helicopter crash in Argentina.
Swimmer Camille Muffat won gold in the 400m freestyle at the London Olympics. The 25-year-old won two other medals at thoseGames. Boxer Alexis Vastine, 28, won bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Another French sports star, 57-year-old sailing champion Florence Arthaud, also died when two helicopters collided mid-air . The groups were filming TV reality show Dropped in the La Rioja province in the country's north-west.
The French presidential office confirmed that eight French passengers and their two Argentine pilots died in the tragic accident.
The cause of the crash, which happened about 1,100km north of the capital Buenos Aires, is unclear. But weather conditions in the mountains where the helicopters collided were said to be good, according to AFP.
Dropped is a celebrity show screened on French channel TF1. It features celebrities being taken into inhospitable environments and filmed trying to survive.
The French sports movement was in mourning after learning of the deaths.
A spokesman for the French NOC told Around the Rings the Olympic committee was in shock, as Muffat, Vastine and Arthaud were well-known to them.
French NOC president Denis Masseglia described the crash as "absolutely tragic"for the families involved and French sport.
"It is with great shock and great sadness that the French National Olympic Committee learned of the death of three of its own, Camille Muffat, Florence Arthaud, and Alexis Vastine," said a French NOC statement.
"These exceptional champions have marked the history of French sport. They will remain forever in our memories and in our hearts.
"The CNOSF, the elite level Athletes' Commission and the sports movement send their deepest condolences to their families and loved ones."
The IOC said in a statement that it was shocked by the news. "Our thoughts are with the families and friends of these great athletes who have left us.
"With them, the world of sport and the Olympic family have lost three of their key members. They were all not only champions in their sport but also contributed greatly as role models. The Olympic Movement mourns with their families and friends, their fellow athletes, the French National Olympic Committee and with France."
The IOC said the Olympic flag will be flown at half-staff for three days at its Lausanne HQ "to honor these great champions".
Reported by Mark Bisson
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