Sporting world pays tribute to sports stars killed in crash

PARIS (AP) French sports minister Patrick Kanner is asking for tributes to be paid at sports events to the three athletes who died in a helicopter crash.

Olympic champion swimmer Camille Muffat, Olympic bronze-medalist boxer Alexis Vastine and pioneering sailor Florence Arthaud were among 10 people who died as two helicopters filming a reality show crashed in a remote part of Argentina on Monday.

Speaking at a remembrance ceremony at the French National Institute For Sports, Kanner says ''it's a small part of France that disappeared in Argentina.''

About 400 people, including families of the victims and athletes, gathered at the ceremony in Paris and held a minute's silence.

The French Football Federation said that there will be minute's silence held at every ground in France this weekend, including games at regional and departmental level.

''The French football family wishes to affirm its support to the families and the loved ones of the victims,'' the FFF said in a statement Wednesday.