WASHINGTON — The national boxing coach for Samoa died at the athletes village for the Paris Olympics after suffering a cardiac arrest just hours before the Games began, officials said on Saturday.
Lionel Fatu Elika died on Friday morning local time at the village, the Oceania regional group of Olympic national committees said in a statement on behalf of its Samoan member.
The International Olympic Committee said Fatu Elika died of natural causes. In a statement Saturday, the IOC expressed “its condolences to the entire Samoan NOC, his family and friends.”
The International Boxing Association issued a statement extending "heartfelt condolences" to the coach's family, friends and colleagues.
"Lionel’s dedication and passion for the sport have left an indelible mark on the boxing community. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations. Our thoughts and prayers are with Team Samoa and all those affected by this profound loss," the IBA said.
Fatu Elika was at the Olympics with the top-seeded men's heavyweight boxer in Paris, Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali.
“No words can express how I feel but rest in love coach Lionel,” Plodzicki-Faoagali wrote Saturday in an Instagram post about his team leader whom he described as “Grand Master.”
The Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee said in a release that he died Friday morning, ahead of the Opening Ceremony.
"Lionel was one of Samoa's top boxing coaches and a great believer in the Olympic ideal," said Samoa NOC President Pauga Talalelei Pauga.
According to Agence France Presse, local officials said Fatupaito was treated by emergency responders but they weren't able to resuscitate him.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
