French Weightlifting Federation President has been found dead at his hotel room in Oran where he was attending the Mediterranean Games ©FFHM

Guy Koller, President of the French Weightlifting Federation, has died while attending the Mediterranean Games in Oran, the French National Olympic Committee (CNOSF) has announced.

Koller, 65, from Alsace, was found dead in his hotel room in the Algerian city this morning.

Only last week the French Weightlifting Federation (FFHM) announced that Koller had been appointed a permanent guest of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Executive Board until 2024.

That appointment was made because of Koller’s position as the most senior weightlifting administrator in the host nation for the next Olympic Games, Paris 2024, FFHM said.

Koller, elected last year with 77 per cent of the votes, was seven times national champion as a super-heavyweight between 1978 and 1984.

The runner-up in the elections, held in April 2021, was Bruno Girard, who sits on the FFHM Board.

Guy Koller was appointed a permanent guest of the International Weightlifting Federation Executive Board until 2024 last week ©Getty Images
Guy Koller was appointed a permanent guest of the International Weightlifting Federation Executive Board until 2024 last week ©Getty Images

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) issued a statement saying: "The whole IWF family is deeply saddened to hear the sudden passing of Guy Koller.

"As President of the next Olympic Games' host nation’s weightlifting federation he was named ex-officio member of the IWF Executive Board for the period of 2022-2024.

"The IWF is sending its deepest condolences to the French Weightlifting Federation and to Mr Koller’s family and loved ones.

"With his passing weightlifting lost a great leader and friend."