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A terrible helicopter accident caused the death of 10 people, whose 8 French, on Tuesday morning in Argentina. Among them, Camille Muffat (swimming), Florence Arthaud (sailing) and Alexis Vastine (Boxing). French sport is in shock.

French sport experienced a terrible tragedy this Tuesday morning after the death of 10 people, whose 8 French, in a collision between two helicopters in Argentina. Among them, Camille Muffat (swimming), Florence Arthaud (sailing) and Alexis Vastine (Boxing). They were all participating in the filming of a new show for TF1, Dropped. Other athletes, like Sylvain Wiltord, Philippe Candeloro and Alain Bernard, also participated in this game but were not on board the helicopters at the time of the accident.

“French sport is in mourning since we have lost three enormous champions. Florence Arthaud, we knew her, the little bride of the Atlantic as she was nicknamed. Camille Muffat who had, at the London Olympics, shone in swimming with his gold medal on 400 metres. And then Alexis Vastine, whom I had met again very recently and who, after winning a medal in Beijing, wanted to go for gold in Rio. I am very saddened and even incredulous, It’s horror”, commented on RTL the Secretary of State for Sports, Thierry Braillard.

Ten dead, eight French, including swimmer Camille Muffat, the sailor Florence Arthaud as well as the boxer Alexis Vastine. This is the dramatic outcome of a helicopter accident that occurred on Monday in Argentina, on the set of the TF1 reality TV show Dropped, in which big names in French sport participated. The ALP production company, who produced this adventure game in the tradition of Koh-Lanta, as well as TF1, said they were upset. The President of the Republic François Hollande expressed his “amazement and emotion”. But, above all, French sport as a whole is in mourning on Tuesday morning.

“Camille, an exceptional swimmer.” “I find it hard to believe it”, thus confided to the microphone of Europe 1 Richard Papazian, the president of Olympic Nice Natation, including Camille Muffat, who retired in July 2014, was a member. “He was a willing person, a soul of a champion, always an easy character. She was nice. She had this talent, she was an exceptional swimmer. She could have stayed in the ponds and left her mark for many years. Unfortunately, that's it.”
His former teammates in the French team, Amaury Leveaux, Camille Lacourt and Yannick Agnel, with whom the champion shared the same trainer, Fabrice Pellerin, quickly reacted on Twitter.

“Florence, a girl full of dreams.” Florence Arthaud was a superb sailor, a very fine adjuster, very good helmsman and very good sailor. She was a girl full of dreams and passion.. She had a big plan : bring together all the sailors for a big regatta”, also reacted the navigator Lionel Pean, close to the navigator, at the microphone of Europe 1. BFMTV was also able to receive a tribute from Dominique Nato, former technical director of the French boxing team, Sir Alexis Vastine, the third champion died in this tragedy. “Alexis Vastine was like someone from my family, like my little brother. He was endearing and respectful and no one will forget him from now on”, he commented.
“I'm sad, is trembling”. The other candidates on the show also shared their pain, while trying to reassure their loved ones. “I'm sad for my friends, is trembling, I am horrified, I have no words , I don't want to say anything”, commented footballer Sylvain Wiltord on Twitter. The skater Philippe Candeloro, who was also a candidate on this show, talks about “terrible tragedy”.

A tribute from all sports. Beyond the former teammates in the French team and the candidates present at the scene of the tragedy, many athletes from many disciplines wanted to express their pain and sadness, Tribute, like four-time NBA champion Tony Parker, of Olympic judo champion Teddy Riner, of the Formula driver 1 Romain Grosjean, of the double world slalom champion, Jean-Baptiste Grange or the pole vault world record holder, Renaud Lavillenie.

The double Olympic biathlon champion, Martin Fourcade, who is currently participating in the world championships in Finland, insists : “heroes never die”.

Flag bearer of the French selection at the Olympic Games 2008 and Olympic champion in London in 2012, where Camille Muffat had also been crowned, Tony Estanguet is “collapsed”.

Athlete Muriel Hurtis “has no words”, It, to express his sorrow, she can only describe “the tears that flow” on her cheeks since she heard the news.

The former tennis champion, Marion Bartoli, said to herself “upset” while the current n°1 Alizé Cornet insisted on bringing everything “all its support for families”.

A collision. According to the latest elements of the investigation, the two helicopters collided and exploded in mid-air. “There are no survivors”, announced César Angulo, the Secretary of Security of the province of La Rioja, a tourist area in the north of Argentina. “Apparently the two helicopters collided during filming. It is not known what caused the collision, the weather conditions were good”, added César Angulo.

Portrait of Florence Arthaud
http://www.lemonde.fr/voile/article/2015/03/10/la-fiancee-de-l-atlantique-florence-arthaud-meurt-dans-le-crash-en-argentine_4590286_1616887.html

Portrait of Camille Muffat
http://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2015/03/10/la-nageuse-camille-muffat-disparait-dans-le-crash-d-un-helicoptere-en-argentine_4590282_3210.html

Portrait of Alexis Vastine
http://www.lemonde.fr/sports-de-combat/article/2015/03/10/mort-du-boxeur-alexis-vastine-un-medaille-olympique-au-parcours-chaotique_4590289_1616664.html

The entire Team of the Hotel ★★★ Coco Lodge Gourmet Restaurant in Majunga wishes its most sincere condolences to the families of the victims of this tragedy.