Tragic Loss at Paris Olympics: Samoan Boxing Team Manager Passes Away
- The team manager of a leading men's heavyweight boxer at the Paris Olympics has sadly passed away.
- This incident occurred at the athlete village located in Saint-Denis.
- The death raises concerns about the well-being of athletes and staff at large-scale events.
PARIS (AP) — The Samoan boxing team is mourning the loss of their manager, Lionel Fatu Elika, who passed away on Friday morning at the athletes' village in Saint-Denis. The Oceania regional group of Olympic national committees confirmed his death, which the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stated was due to natural causes. The IOC extended its condolences to the Samoan National Olympic Committee (NOC), as well as to Elika's family and friends. Elika was accompanying a Samoan team that includes Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali, a strong contender in the men's heavyweight boxing category. Plodzicki-Faoagali expressed his grief on social media, referring to Elika as “Grand Master” and stating, “No words can express how I feel but rest in love coach Lionel.” The 25-year-old boxer is set to compete in the round of 16 in the 92-kilogram category against a Belgian opponent, marking his second appearance at the Summer Games. Pauga Talalelei Pauga, president of the Samoan Olympic body, praised Elika as one of Samoa’s top boxing coaches and a staunch supporter of the Olympic ideals. The Paris organizing committee also expressed its sorrow over the loss, stating, “Our thoughts are with his family, his loved ones, and his delegation.” The tragic event has cast a shadow over the Samoan team's participation in the Olympics.