By In a somber start to the 2024 Paris Olympics, officials confirmed on Saturday that Lionel Elika Fatupaito, the national boxing coach for Samoa, passed away at the Olympic Village. The tragic event occurred on Friday, just before the Games’ opening ceremony, casting a shadow over the start of the world’s premier sporting event.
According to reports from AFP, Fatupaito suffered a cardiac arrest. Despite prompt attention from emergency services, they were unable to save his life. The local prosecutor’s office has stated that the cause of death was due to “natural causes.”
The International Boxing Association (IBA) released a statement mourning the loss of Coach Fatupaito. “Lionel’s dedication and passion for the sport have left an indelible mark on the boxing community,” the IBA said. “His legacy will continue to inspire future generations.”
Fatupaito’s passing comes as a significant blow to the Samoan Olympic team, particularly as the boxing preliminary events began on Saturday. Samoa has 24 athletes competing in the Paris Olympics, with one boxer among them.
Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali, a 25-year-old heavyweight boxer and Samoa’s sole representative in Olympic boxing, paid tribute to his late coach on social media. Plodzicki-Faoagali, who won gold at the 2023 Pacific Games and competed in the Tokyo Olympics, shared fond memories of Fatupaito.
“I first met coach Lionel when I was 15 trialling for Samoa’s Youth team,” Plodzicki-Faoagali wrote, accompanying his words with a photo of himself and Fatupaito. “He was a kind and generous coach, not only with his time, material things, but also his knowledge. You will be sorely missed coach … Rest well old man, gonna miss you out there, you were the calm one and dad the storm of our corner.”
This tragic event highlights the intense pressure and stress that can accompany participation in high-level sporting events like the Olympics. It also underscores the close bonds formed between coaches and athletes, with Fatupaito clearly having made a lasting impact on the boxers he mentored.
As the Olympic community comes to terms with this loss, attention will inevitably turn to the welfare of athletes and support staff at major sporting events. The incident may prompt discussions about health screenings and support systems in place for team officials at the Olympic Games.
For now, the Samoan team and the wider Olympic community mourn the loss of a dedicated coach. As the Games continue, Fatupaito’s memory will undoubtedly be honored by those he influenced and the sport he loved.
The Paris 2024 organizing committee and the International Olympic Committee are expected to pay their respects in the coming days, as the Olympic spirit of unity in sport takes on added meaning in the face of this tragedy.
