Federations Around the World Send Condolences Over Death of Camille Muffat

As Europe awoke on Tuesday morning to the tragic news that French Olympic champion Camille Muffat had died in a helicopter crash in Argentina, along with 9 other participants in the filming of a reality television show, federations across the world extended their condolences to the family.

Read more about the tragedy here.

A collection of those messages is below:

FINA:

FINA learnt with immense sadness of the tragic loss of French swimmer Camille Muffat in a helicopter accident in Argentina. Muffat, 25, won three medals at the London 2012 Olympic Games in the women’s 400m free (gold), 200m free (silver) and 4x200m free (bronze).

At the FINA World Championships, the great champion climbed the podium a total four times: in 2013, in Barcelona (ESP), she was bronze medallist in the 200m free and 4x200m free, while in 2011 in Shanghai (CHN), she took third in the 200m and 400m free. Moreover, at the FINA World Swimming Championships (25m), Muffat captured the gold in the 200m free at the 2010 edition in Dubai (UAE).

Retired in 2014, she was one of the most well-known and admired sports persons in her country.

“The FINA family is shocked with the dreadful news. Muffat was a talented swimmer and a human being of great value. She was and will remain a role model for the youth in France and a true inspiration for all those aiming at becoming successful swimmers”, said FINA President Dr. Julio C. Maglione.

To Muffat’s family and friends, and to the entire Aquatic community in France, FINA expresses its heartfelt and deepest condolences in this moment of grief.

British Swimming:

British Swimming has sent its deepest condolences to the family and friends of OIympic champion Camille Muffat following the news of her death in a helicopter accident.

British Swimming Chief Executive David Sparkes said: “This is such sad news. Camille was a great swimmer who achieved so much and she will be missed by everyone in the swimming world. I have today sent our deepest condolences to the French Swimming President and Camille’s family.”

Camille was among 10 people killed when two helicopters crashed in Argentina yesterday. Eight French nationals, including yachtswoman Florence Arthaud and Olympic boxer Alexis Vastine, as well as two Argentian pilots were lost. The helicopters were involved in the filming of a survival show for television.

Camille won three medals at the London 2012 Olympic Games the pinnacle of which was gold in the 400m Freestyle.

British Swimming Head Coach Bill Furniss, who previously coached former Olympic Champion Rebecca Adlington, said: “Camille was someone who commanded respect as both a great competitor and as a person. Rebecca and her had some tremendous battles over the years and she will be sadly missed. I would like to offer my condolences to her family, friends and all at French Swimming.”

Swiss Swimming:

https://twitter.com/Swiss_Swimming/status/575194547761864704

International Olympic Committee

Nous sommes bouleversés par cette triste nouvelle. Nos pensées vont aux familles et amis de ces merveilleux athlètes qui viennent de nous quitter.

Avec leur disparition, le monde du sport et la famille olympique ont perdu trois de leurs plus brillants représentants. Chacun d’entre eux n’était pas seulement champion dans son sport mais jouait aussi un formidable rôle de modèle.

Le Mouvement olympique pleure leur perte aux côtés de leurs familles et amis, de leurs camarades athlètes, du Comité National Olympique et Sportif Français et de la France.

Pour rendre hommage à ces grands champions, le drapeau olympique sera mis en berne pendant trois jours au siège du CIO à Lausanne.

Translated:

We are devastated by this sad news. Our thoughts are with the families and friends of these wonderful athletes who have just left us.

With their disappearance, the world of sport and the Olympic family have lost three of their most brilliant representatives. Each of them was not only champion in his sport, but also played a great role models.

The Olympic Movement mourns their loss together with their families and friends, athlete peers, the French National Olympic Committee, and France.

To pay tribute to these great champions, the Olympic flag will be flown at half mast for three days at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne.