The Oxford University Lightweight Rowing Club got into difficulty in Spain

His father Stephen Blockley said: "In one sense it is a relief to know he has been found but any residual glimmers of hope that he may be alive have been destroyed.

"The whole family is devastated by his loss."

The two Oxford University Lightweight Rowing Club (OULRC) boats were flooded after being hit by sudden gusts of about 50 miles per hour.

They were at a training camp and were preparing to take on Cambridge at Henley in March.

'Extremely saddened'

The president of the OULRC, Jeremy Fagan, said: "All members and supporters of OULRC are extremely saddened at the tragic death of Leo Blockley, who was trialling for the 2001 boat race on a training camp in Spain.

"Leo was a popular and well liked member of the squad who gave his all to everything he tried. Our thoughts are very much with his family at this time."

Mr Blockley's initial disappearance prompted comments from Britain's five time gold medal winning rower Steve Redgrave who expressed shock at the news of the accident.

Rescuers searched the river for weeks without success

He said: "I feel for his parents and rowing colleagues, you never want news like that."

Mr Blockley was a mathematics graduate who was studying for a masters degree at Oxford when the tragedy occurred on 29 December.

A Spanish Civil Guard spokesman confirmed that Mr Blockley's body was found several miles down river from where he was reported missing.

The family is planning to hold a private memorial service for Mr Blockley who was studying for a Master's Degree in applied statistics at Lincoln College.