Two-times Olympic silver medallist Eric Namesnik died on Wednesday at a Michigan hospital following an automobile accident last week on an icy road.

Namesnik, 35, was in a medically-induced coma in an effort to reduce the swelling around his brain, officials said.

"The loss of Eric Namesnik is shocking for the entire swimming community," Chuck Wielgus, USA Swimming executive director, said in a statement.

"Snik represented everything great about the Olympic movement.

"His work ethic, toughness and dedication were the embodiment of an Olympian and they made him one of the most admired competitors the sport of swimming has seen."

Namesnik was the 1992 and 1996 Olympic silver medallist in the 400m individual medley.

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