Samoa’s boxing coach dies after cardiac arrest in Olympic Village

SAMOA’s boxing coach Lionel Elika Fatupaito has died from cardiac arrest in the Olympic Village.

Unfortunately, he passed away on Friday morning at the age of 60.

The Samoan Olympic Committee confirmed the devastating news in a statement.

Committee President Pauga Talalelei Pauga said: “Lionel was one of Samoa’s best boxing coaches and a great believer in the Olympic ideal.

“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 athletes paid their respects to Elika before the opening ceremony and remembered her with a collective prayer.

The statement continued: “The Samoan NOC will not make any further statements and asks that the privacy of Lionel’s family and the athletes be respected during this difficult time.”

Samoa has registered a boxer for the Olympic Games in Paris: Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali will compete in the men’s heavyweight division.

The 25-year-old is the top seed in the 92 kg weight class, which begins on Sunday.

In the round of 16 he will face Belgian Victor Schelstraete and has his eye on a medal.

Plodzicki-Faoagali is a two-time Commonwealth Games silver medalist and reigning Pacific Games champion.

A total of 24 athletes will represent Samoa in nine sports in the French capital.

The Olympic Games officially began on Friday with the opening ceremony.