The 30-year-old died when her vehicle collided with a pick-up truck on the Patras to Pyrgos highway in Western Peloponnese.

"The Greek Gymnastics Federation expresses its condolences to the relatives of Anna Pollatou and feels deep sorrow for the untimely loss of a gymnast who was a role model," the national body said in a statement.

"She was a young woman who had much to offer, and not only to sport."

As well as her group all-around Olympic medal, Pollatou's performances on the international scene also saw her win two gold and one silver medal at the 1999 World Championships in the Japanese city of Osaka and three gold medals at the 1999 European Championships in Hungary's capital, Budapest.

She retired from competitive action the year after Sydney 2000 to begin a new career as a coach and served as an ambassador for the annual Gymnastics for All International Festival on her native island of Kefalonia.

The Greek Olympic Committee said it will be represented at Pollatou's funeral by Thanassis Vassiliadis, its second vice-president and President of the Greek Gymnastics Federation.

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) also paid tribute to the athlete.

"The FIG Authorities, its President and the entire Gymnastics Community express their sympathies and deep condolences to the Family, Friends and to the Hellenic Gymnastics Federation," read a statement from the sport's world governing body.

"Anna Pollatou will be deeply missed."

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