A top heavyweight boxing coach died unexpectedly at the Paris Olympics in the athlete’s village in Saint-Denis on Friday morning.
Lionel Elika Fatupaito’s death of announced on Friday, according to a statement from the Oceania regional group of Olympic national committees.
Fatupaito suddenly “fell ill” in his hotel room just hours ahead of the opening ceremony on Friday, according to French police.
The boxing coach died of “natural causes,” according to the International Olympic Committee.
The committee extended “its condolences to the entire Samoan NOC, his family, and friends.”
Fatupaito traveled to Paris with the Samoan team, which has a strong medal contender in Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali.
RELATED: Girl, 8, Dies Suddenly on Flight to Chicago – Medics Baffled
“No words can express how I feel but rest in love coach Lionel,” Plodzicki-Faoagali wrote in an Instagram post on Saturday.
Plodzicki-Faoagali begins his run on Sunday, competing in his second Olympic games.
The 25-year-old heavyweight has won gold medals in the Pacific Games and two silver medals in the Commonwealth Games.
“Lionel was one of Samoa’s top boxing coaches and a great believer in the Olympic ideal,” the amoan Olympic body’s president, Pauga Talalelei Pauga, said in the IOC’s statement.
The Paris organizing committee said it was “deeply saddened to learn of the death of a member of the Samoan delegation.”
“Our thoughts are with his family, his loved ones and his delegation.”
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.”
