Friends, we have some sad news from the Paris Olympics. Lionel Elika Fatupaito, the esteemed team manager and coach of the top-seeded men’s heavyweight boxer from Samoa, passed away suddenly in the athletes’ village in Saint Denis on Friday morning. This tragedy has struck at the heart of the Samoan team and has cast a shadow over the spirit of the games.
Fatupaito, a respected figure in Samoan boxing, fell ill in his hotel room just hours before the opening ceremony on Friday, according to French authorities. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed his death was due to natural causes. In their statement released Saturday, they extended their “condolences to the entire Samoan NOC, his family and friends.”
Our hearts go out to Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali, Samoa’s strong medal contender, who traveled to Paris with Fatupaito. “No words can express how I feel but rest in love coach Lionel,” Plodzicki-Faoagali wrote in an Instagram post on Saturday.
Plodzicki-Faoagali is set to start his Olympic journey on Sunday with a round-of-16 bout against a Belgian opponent. This will be his second appearance at the Olympics. The 25-year-old heavyweight has already made his nation proud by winning gold medals at the Pacific Games and two silver medals at the Commonwealth Games.
The President of Samoa’s Olympic body, Pauga Talalelei Pauga, praised Fatupaito in the IOC’s statement: “Lionel was one of Samoa’s top boxing coaches and a great believer in the Olympic ideal.”
The Paris organizing committee expressed its sorrow over this loss: “We are 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) also paid tribute to Fatupaito 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.”
They added: “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.”
Final Thoughts
This tragedy reminds us of the real people behind these games. It’s not just about medals and glory; it’s about individuals dedicating their lives to their passion and representing their countries on a global stage. We salute Lionel Elika Fatupaito for his contribution to the sport and express our deepest sympathies to his loved ones and the Samoan team.
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