British Swimming is immensely saddened to hear the news that the search for friend and colleague Raphael Rinaldi, missing in the Italian Alps for the past week-and-a-half, has ended.
All our thoughts go out to Raphael's family and friends, and we please ask that their privacy, along with that of everyone involved in British Diving, be respected at this difficult time.
Raphael - or Raph as he is known across the British sporting community - has long been a valued member of staff when he has joined up with British Diving teams as a physiotherapist around major events and team camps. He was due to travel with the team to the upcoming FINA Diving Grand Prix event in Calgary this month.
This is another devastating blow to the diving family in this country and internationally. British Swimming will be working closely with staff and athletes who have been affected by this desperate news.
We know that Raph was a key part of the sports science and sports medicine teams with GB Snowsport, British Bobsleigh and Skeleton and the British Paralympic Association over recent years, and our thoughts are also with our colleagues across those sports at this time.