The National Navy of Uruguay is searching for Argentine athlete Federico Foster, who went missing this Thursday in Punta del Este, according to military sources reported by EFE. The Prefecture of Maldonado and other forces are also assisting in the search operation.

According to local media, Foster was in Uruguay's main seaside resort, in the southeast of the country, to compete in the Ironman 70.3, which is set to take place this Sunday with more than a thousand athletes from various countries.

In an interview with the outlet La Opinión, from the Argentine city of Pergamino, which was reported by Uruguayan media this Friday, Foster described himself as "someone who lives and feels the sport."

Among his most notable achievements are four participations in the Ironman Brazil, three qualifications for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship, a victory in the Villa Urquiza-Paraná open water marathon, and a third-place finish in the South American Masters Swimming Championship in 2013.