A Spanish swimmer conducted a private minute of silence ©Twitter

International Swimming Federation (FINA) officials have insisted that they would have "immediately considered" a one minute silence in memory of the Barcelona terrorist attack victims if they had received a "formal demand" from a swimmer at the World Masters Championships who went on to conduct his own personal tribute. 

Spaniard Fernando Álvarez stayed on the blocks for a minute after the start of the 200 metres breaststroke heat in Budapest in a private protest to honour victims of an attack in which at least 14 people died. 

The 71-year-old Club Natación Cadiz swimmer claimed that he had requested a one minute silence before the race only to have his request denied by local organisers. 

Unsurprisingly, he finished far behind the rest of the field and was not given an official time.

Álvarez, who has been hailed as a hero, described the feeling of conducting his protest as "more than if I had won all the gold medals in the world".

A one minute silence was held before competition began on Saturday (August 19) at the Dagaly Complex and at two other points during the Championships.

"FINA naturally condemns and regrets the shocking events in Barcelona on August 17, 2017, and expresses its sincere sympathy for the families and friends of the victims," the world governing body said in a statement.

"Concerning the case of the Spanish swimmer at the FINA World Masters Championships in Budapest, FINA was never informed about this particular request.

"In case a formal demand was received, FINA would obviously immediately consider the minute of silence."

A similar statement was issued by the local Organising Committee who claimed they had acknowledged the tragedy on three specific occasions.

"On Friday, we had one minute silence before the first victory ceremony," they said on Facebook.

"On Saturday, before the competition started, we had one minute in silence in every venue. 

"As with the Closing Ceremony the Championships has come to an end, at the beginning we had one minute of silence because of the victims of the terrorist attack in Barcelona."

The International Olympic Committee were among other sporting bodies to respond to events in Barcelona.

“#BarcelonaAttack is also an attack on the Olympic Values in the host city of the Olympic Games 1992," said the body's President Thomas Bach in a statement released on Twitter. 

"We utterly condemn #BarcelonaAttack.

"Our thoughts are with the victims and their families and friends."