Poland's former Olympic hammer gold medallist Kamila Skolimowska died in a Portuguese hospital after collapsing during a training session, the European Athletics Association said on Thursday.

Skolimowska, 26, complained about being uncomfortable during training on Wednesday and then fell unconscious in the gym in the southern Algarve region, the report said.

"She was immediately rushed to the hospital, but efforts to resuscitate her failed," the EAA said. "The doctors suspect a heart attack to be the cause behind this unfortunate incident."

Skolimowska won gold at the Olympic Games in Sydney 2000 at the age of 17. It was the first time that the women's hammer throw had been staged at the Olympics.

Her father, Robert Skolimowski, was a famous weightlifter.