Samoa boxing coach Lionel Elika Fatupaito has died aged 60 after suffering a cardiac arrest in the Olympic village on Friday.
Fatupaito was with an athlete when he fell ill in his room at around 10:20 a.m. local time on Friday morning, just hours before the opening ceremony in Paris.
According to French police sources, Fatupaito died of natural causes despite fast treatment by the emergency services.
A statement from the Oceania National Olympic Committee read: ‘It is with extreme sadness that the Samoa Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee (SASNOC) announces the passing of boxing coach Mr Lionel Fatu Elika.
‘Elika passed away this morning, local Paris time, in the Games Village.’
SASNOC president Pauga Talalelei Pauga said: ‘Lionel was one of Samoa’s top boxing coaches and a great believer in the Olympic ideal.
‘Our thoughts and those of the entire Samoan sporting community are with Lionel’s family, his boxers, and friends. He will be greatly missed.’
Fatupaito was in Paris to coach Samoa’s only boxer in the competition, Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali.
The 25-year-old heavyweight has won gold medals in the Pacific Games and two silver medals in the Commonwealth Games.
Plodzicki-Faoagali is scheduled to fight Belgium’s Victor Schelstraete in the preliminary round on Sunday.
‘No words can express how I feel but rest in love coach Lionel,’ Plodzicki-Faoagali wrote in a tribute post on Instagram.
‘Our last photo together before you passed yesterday Grand Master…’
The International Boxing Association (IBA) said in a statement: ‘We at the IBA extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Lionel Elika Fatupaito, the national boxing coach of Samoa, who tragically passed away during the Paris 2024.
‘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.’
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