Olympics 2024: Samoan boxing coach Lionel Fatu Elika dies at Paris Games

Lionel Elika Fatupaito died at the age of 60 at the Paris Olympics Village. Photo / IBA

The Olympics boxing team coach for Samoa has died after suffering a heart attack in the athletes’ village in Paris.

Lionel Elika Fatupaito, who was 60, collapsed with a cardiac arrest while in his room with an athlete around 10.20am on Friday, police sources told French media. He died “of natural causes,” officers added.

The International Boxing Federation (IBA) immediately offered “heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Lionel Elika Fatupaito, the national boxing coach of Samoa, who tragically passed away during Paris 2024.

“Lionel’s dedication and passion for the sport have left an indelible mark on the boxing community,” a statement said. “His legacy will continue to inspire future generations. Our thoughts and prayers are with Team Samoa and all those affected by this profound loss.”

The President of the Samoa Association of Sports and National Olympics Committee, Luafalealo Paige Talalelei also confirmed the death of one of Samoa’s greatest boxing coaches. “Paris 2024 was deeply saddened to learn of the death of a member of the Samoan delegation,” Paris 2024 added. “Our thoughts are with his family, his loved ones and his delegation.”

Lionel Elika Fatupaito died at the age of 60 at the Paris Olympics Village. Photo / IBA

Samoa is competing at its 11th consecutive appearance at the Summer Olympic Games, four of which were competed under the name Western Samoa.

The nation entered one boxer after Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali secured a spot in the heavyweight division, following his triumph at the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

For Team GB’s boxing team, heavyweight Patrick Brown was drawn against Brazil’s Keno Marley Machado. Super-heavyweight Delicious Orie will meet tricky Armenia Davit Chaloyan – the 2021 world silver medallist.

Samoa’s Olympics president Pauga Talalelei Pauga led tributes to the coach.

“Lionel was one of Samoa’s top boxing coaches and a great believer in the Olympic ideal,” he said.

“Our thoughts and those of the entire Samoan sporting community are with Lionel’s family, his boxers, and friends. He will be greatly missed.”The Samoa delegation held a team prayer ahead of competitions, the body said.