Lionel Elika Fatupaito dead at 60: Samoa boxing coach passes away after suffering cardiac arrest in Olympic village

SAMOA boxing coach Lionel Elika Fatupaito has died after suffering a cardiac arrest in the Olympic village.

He passed away at the age of 60 on Friday morning.

Samoa boxing coach Lionel Elika Fatupaito died after suffering a cardiac arrest

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

Committee president Pauga Talalelei Pauga said: “Lionel was one of Samoa’s top 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.”

Athletes paid their respects and remembered Elika with a team prayer ahead of the opening ceremony.

The statement added: “The Samoan NOC will not issue any further statements and requests that the privacy of Lionel’s family and the athletes are respected during this difficult time.”

Samoa have entered one boxer at the Paris Olympics, with Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali competing in the men’s heavyweight event.

In total, 24 athletes will represent Samoa across nine sports in the French capital.

The Olympics officially got underway on Friday with the opening ceremony.

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