The Olympic Movement has paid tribute to the three French athletes who died when two helicopters collided on Monday in Argentina. Swimmer Camille Muffat, boxer Alexis Vastine and sailor Florence Arthaud were in the South American country filming a television programme when the accident happened.

Muffat, who was 25, won gold, silver and bronze medals at the London 2012 Olympic Games before retiring in 2014. Vastine, who was 28, won a bronze medal at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and reached the quarter-finals in London. Arthaud, who was 57, won the prestigious Route du Rhum solo Atlantic race in 1990.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) paid tribute to the trio on Tuesday, its President Thomas Bach saying: “We are shocked by this sad 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 also announced that the Olympic flag would be flown at half-mast for three days at its headquarters, while the Brazilian Olympic Committee sent a letter of condolence to the French National Olympic and Sports Committee expressing its “deep regret and solidarity”.