Tragedy struck the 2024 Paris Olympics on Friday, July 26, as Lionel Elika Fatupaito, the 60-year-old coach of the Samoa Olympic boxing team, died suddenly at the Olympic Village in Seine-Saint-Denis. Fatupaito suffered a cardiac arrest in his room around 10:20 am local time, just hours before the Summer Games were set to begin.According to the Bobigny prosecutor’s office, Fatupaito was found unresponsive in his room with an athlete present. Despite rapid medical intervention by local firefighters and emergency services, he was pronounced dead due to natural causes. The Seine-Saint-Denis police department has launched an investigation into the death, although no foul play is suspected.The International Boxing Association (IBA) expressed its condolences to Fatupaito’s family, friends, and colleagues, praising his dedication and passion for the sport. In a statement, the IBA said, ‘Lionel’s dedication and passion for the sport left an indelible mark on the boxing community. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations’.The Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee also confirmed and lamented Fatupaito’s death, recognizing him as one of the country’s top boxing coaches and a strong believer in the Olympic ideal. The committee has requested that the privacy of his family and the Samoan athletes be respected during this difficult time.This tragic event has cast a shadow over the opening of the 2024 Paris Olympics, reminding the global sports community of the fragility of life even amidst the excitement of the world’s largest sporting event.
Key points
- Lionel Elika Fatupaito, Samoa’s 60-year-old Olympic boxing coach, died of cardiac arrest at the Paris Olympic Village.
- The incident occurred just hours before the start of the 2024 Summer Games.
- The International Boxing Association and Samoa National Olympic Committee have paid tribute to Fatupaito’s dedication to the sport.
- An investigation has been launched, but the death is believed to be due to natural causes.
Contradictions👾There is a slight discrepancy in the reported time of the incident, with some sources stating 10:20 am and others reporting 09:20 Lisbon time.
This could be due to time zone differences or reporting errors.
