In total, eight French nationals and two Argentinean pilots were killed after two helicopters collided, including Muffat and Vastine, who won a light welterweight bronze medal at Beijing 2008, as well as gold at the 2005 Mediterranean Games.

Sailor Florence Arthaud, a solo yachtswoman who first gained fame for winning a race across the Atlantic Ocean as a 17-year-old before triumphing in the 1997 Transpacific race across the Pacific, was also involved.

All were involved in the filming of television survival show, "Dropped", in which celebrities are flown into hazardous terrain by helicopter before being filmed as they attempt to find food and shelter.

No details have yet emerged as to what caused the accident, but tributes have already been paid across France, as well as the sports world. 

France's London 2012 Olympic champion Camille Muffat was among those involved in the helicopter crash ©Getty Images



These tributes were led by French President Francois Hollande, who said: "The sudden death of our fellow French nationals is a cause of immense sadness".

In a statement this morning, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach claimed he was "shocked by this sad news".

Bach added: "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 Olympic flag will be flown at half-mast for three days at the IOC Headquarters to honour these great champions,Bach added.

Boxer Alexis Vastine was also among those tragically involved in the helicopter crash ©AFP/Getty Images