Olympic boxing coach dies at Paris Olympics: Tragic details
The Samoan Olympic boxing team is mourning the devastating loss of Lionel Elika Fatupaito, their highly respected coach who passed away on Friday, the 26th, in the athletes’ village located in Seine-Saint-Denis, France.
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 message further read. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Team Samoa and all those affected by this profound loss.”
The Samoan Olympic body’s president Pauga Talalelei Pauga said in the Oceania statement: “Lionel was one of Samoa’s top boxing coaches and a great believer in the Olympic ideal.”
The Paris organizing committee expressed they are “deeply saddened to learn of the death of a member of the Samoan delegation. Our thoughts are with his family, his loved ones and his delegation.”
Fatupaito was in France to assist in coaching the sole boxer from Samoa, Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali. Plodzicki-Faoagali is scheduled to begin his 92-kilogram competition on Sunday against Belgium’s Victor Schelstraete. The 25-year-old, originally from Australia, is participating in his second Olympic Games.
Plodzicki-Faoagali expressed his emotional struggle, stating on Instagram that the past week has been exceptionally difficult and mentally draining, particularly in light of the recent loss of his coach.
Expressing his gratitude to the people of Samoa for their cheering and support, the boxer also paid tribute to Fatupaito, writing, “Thinking of you coach, wish you were here in the corner today.”
We are so very sorry for this loss. Our thoughts and prayers go to the grieving family. May he rest in peace.
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