Yves Niare, who held the French record in the shot put, has died in a traffic accident. He was 35.

The French Athletics Federation said in a statement that Niare died Wednesday morning. It didn't provide further details.

He held the French shot put record of 67 feet, 11 3/4 inches and was a silver medalist at the European indoor championships in Turin, Italy, three years ago.

FFA president Bernard Amsalem said ''Niare was an endearing athlete'' and that ''my thoughts go out to his wife, his very young daughter and his father, a skilled coach.''

Niare also competed at the world championships in 2005 and 2007, and at the Olympic Games in 2008 without reaching the final.

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