Samoa Olympic boxing coach dies in athlete's village as cause of death now confirmed

Lionel Elika Fatupaito, Samoa's boxing coach, has tragically died at the age of 60 after suffering a cardiac arrest at the Olympic village in Paris on Friday.

The incident occurred around 10:20am local time prior to the opening ceremony in Paris. According to reports from Le Parisien, he was with an athlete when the heart attack struck and despite the emergency team's best efforts, he was declared dead at the location due to "natural causes".

The International Boxing Association (IBA) confirmed this devastating news through a statement released on Saturday. A representative expressed: "We at the IBA extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Lionel Elika Fatupaito, the national boxing coach of Samoa, who tragically passed away during the Paris 2024."

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

Similarly, Pauga Talalelei Pauga, the president of the Samoa National Olympic Committee, offered tribute saying: "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."

Fatupaito travelled to Paris to coach Samoa's only boxing representative, heavyweight Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali. The 25 year old athlete has two silver medals from the Commonwealth Games and a pair of golds from the Pacific Games under his belt.

Plodzicki-Faoagali is due to begin his Olympic journey in the preliminary round of the boxing tournament on Sunday, where he will face off against Belgium's Victor Schelstraete.