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Samoa Boxing Coach Dies at 2024 Paris Olympics Village

Samoa Boxing Coach Lionel Fatu Elika Dies at Paris Olympics Village

The Samoan carrying community has suffered a tragic loss at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Lionel Fatu Elika, the country’s national boxing coach, died in the athletes’ Olympic Village July 26, the first day of the Games. He became 60 years conventional.

The coach, who became working with Samoa’s lone 2024 Olympic boxer, heavyweight Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali, died hours earlier than that evening’s Opening Ceremony.

“Elika passed away this morning, native Paris time, in the Games Village,” the Samoa Association of Sport and Nationwide Olympic Committee stated in a assertion, adding that officials met with Samoa’s delegation—made up of 24 athletes—”to reassure them forward of the Opening Ceremony this day and competitions over the next two weeks.”

The International Olympic Committee stated in an announcement July 27 that Lionel died of natural causes and expressed “its condolences to the entire Samoan NOC, his family and company,” the Associated Press reported.

Following records of the loss of life of Lionel, also called Lionel Elika Fatupaito, Ato shared a tribute to his coach.

“I first met coach Lionel as soon as I became 15 trialling for Samoa’s Early life personnel,” the boxer wrote on Facebook July 27, alongside a throwback pic of the 2. “He became a sort and beneficiant coach, now not only with his time, materials issues, however also his records.”

Facebook / Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali

The 25-yr-conventional persisted, “You will be sorely uncared for coach, your dream became to abet an Olympics with me and dad, now you’ve left too early we haven’t had our first fight at the Olympics esteem we planned! Rest effectively conventional man, gonna miss you available, you had been the amassed one and dad the storm of our nook.”

Instagram / Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali

Ato also posted his last pic of himself with Lionel on his Instagram Stories, writing, “No phrases can categorical how I accept as true with however relaxation in worship coach Lionel. Our final picture together earlier than you passed yesterday Enormous Grasp…”

The Australia-born boxer is competing in his second Olympic Games, after making his debut in 2021 at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. He’s scheduled to face off against Belgium’s Victor Schelstraete in a 92-kilogram preliminary opponents July 28.

The International Boxing Association also shared a tribute to Lionel.

“We at the International Boxing Association (IBA) lengthen our heartfelt condolences to the family, company, and colleagues of Lionel Elika Fatupaito, the national boxing coach of Samoa, who tragically passed away in all places in the Paris 2024,” the personnel stated in an announcement. “Lionel’s dedication and fervour for the sport gather left an indelible be conscious on the boxing community.”

The assertion persisted, “His legacy will proceed to inspire future generations. Our suggestions and prayers are with Team Samoa and all these suffering from this profound loss.”

Peek the 2024 Paris Olympics each day on NBC and Peacock till the summer games conclude with the Closing Ceremony on Sunday, Aug. 11, at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

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