Samoa boxing coach dead after suffering cardiac arrest in Olympic village

Samoa boxing coach Lionel Elika Fatupaito has passed away at the age of 60 after suffering a cardiac arrest in the Olympic village on Friday.

Fatupaito fell ill in his room at around 10:20 a.m. local time on Friday morning, just hours before the opening ceremony in the French capital. According to Le Parisien , he was with an athlete at the time of the episode and he was pronounced dead at the scene due to "natural causes" despite the efforts of emergency services.

The news was confirmed by the International Boxing Association (IBA) in a statement on Saturday. A spokesman said: "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.

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"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."

Samoa National Olympic Committee president Pauga Talalelei Pauga added: “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 had traveled to Paris to coach Samoa's only boxing contender, heavyweight Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali. The 25-year-old has two silver medals from the Commonwealth Games and he owns a pair of golds from the Pacific Games.

Plodzicki-Faoagali is due to begin his Olympic journey in the preliminary round of the boxing tournament on Sunday. He is slated to face Belgium's Victor Schelstraete.