IOC mourns French Olympians killed in helicopter crash

The International Olympic Committee is mourning three French Olympic athletes who were among those killed in a helicopter crash in Argentina.

According to various media outlets, including French newspaper L’Equipe, two helicopters collided in mid-air and crashed, killing 10 people.

Olympic gold medal swimmer Camille Muffat, boxer Alexis Vastine and sailor Florence Arthaud were among those who died.

The athletes were part of a French reality television program that was filming in Argentina.

“We are shocked by this sad news,” said IOC president Thomas Bach in a statement Tuesday. “Our thoughts are with the families and friends of these great athletes who have left us.

“The Olympic Movement mourns with their families and friends, their fellow athletes, the French National Olympic Committee and with France.”

Bach said the IOC flag would be flown at half-mast for three days to honor the Olympians.

Muffat won Olympic gold in the 400-meter freestyle at the 2012 London Games and captured a silver medal in the 200-meter freestyle. She was 25 years old.

Vastine won a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Games. He was 28 years old.

Arthaud, who was 57, is most known for winning the Route du Rhum — a solo race across the Atlantic — in 1990.

(SPORTS NETWORK)