The Monaco-based sports official served the governing body for more than 20 years, firstly as treasurer and then as administrator of the federation.

He was appointed as vice-president at the UIM General Assembly in 2017, by President Raffaele Chiulli and Council members.

Mourners at an event to celebrate Giraldi's life included Prince Albert II of Monaco, an International Olympic Committee member who himself contracted COVID-19 in March of last year before recovering.

The Prince joined family and friends at Monaco Yacht Club where rose petals were thrown into the sea and boats sounded foghorns.

Giraldi was President of the Société Nautique de Monaco and won a world title in offshore powerboating in 2000.

A native of Menton in France, he joined the Monaco rowing club and was asked to involve himself more in the sport by Prince Albert after the city hosted the World Rowing Coastal Championships in 2016.

He also assisted the Prince in Monaco's efforts to send bobsleigh teams to the Winter Olympics.

"It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of Jean-Marc Giraldi, vice-president of the Union Internationale Motonautique, after a battle with COVID-19," the UIM said.

"The powerboating community, the UIM Council, Commissions and Committees members as well as the staff members at the UIM headquarters in Monaco have lost an ally, a bulwark, but also, and above all, a loyal friend.

"Jean-Marc was one of those who preferred to remain in the shadows but who never failed to reflect the light. 

"This is how we can define the one who represented the Union Internationale Motonautique around the world for more than 20 years.

"The light may have gone out on Jean-Marc but we will always treasure the memory of a genuine and respected character, a man greatly appreciated by his peers.

 "The UIM would like to extend its deepest condolences to his family and loved ones."