French ITU Pro Laurent Vidal is reported to have likely suffered from a heart attack during swim practice and was airlifted to a hospital in Montpellier.

According to the french newspaper Midi Libre Vidal was training at the Fonquerne Sète pool when he felt chest pain, exited the water and then sought out help from employees at the pool.

Firefighters were called and Vidal then experienced cardiac arrest. He was revived after a few minutes and regained consciousness.

He then was airlifted to the hospital. Word has it now that he is in an artificial coma.

"Thank you everyone for your kind words for Laurent. Your support means so much. Shocked and so worried! I am traveling to be by his side," tweeted Andrea Hewitt, the fiancee of Laurent Vidal.

Vidal was 6th at the ITU World Triathlon Series grand final in London last fall and this year finished 18th at the World Cup in Mooloolaba and 10th in New Plymouth. We are not sure what was next on his schedule, but he is not on the start list for the upcoming WTS race in Cape Town, South Africa this weekend.

We will update this story as we learn more. Meanwhile our thoughts are with him and his loved ones.