The body of former Spanish alpine skier Blanca Fernández Ochoa has been found after days of searches involving hundreds of police and volunteers.

Ms Fernández, 56, was discovered in a mountainous area near Madrid. She had been missing since 23 August.

The authorities are now investigating the cause of her death.

Ms Fernández was the first Spanish woman to win a medal at the Winter Olympics, capturing bronze in France’s Albertville in 1992.

“It is a very sad day for Spanish sports,” said María José Rienda, Spain’s secretary of state for sports.