Juan Antonio Samaranch Dies

A picture made available on 20 April 2010 shows former president of the International Olympic Comitee and actual honorary president of this organisation Juan Antonio Samaranch during a speech in Copenhague, Denmark, 02 October 2009. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Former International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch has died in hospital after being taken ill at the weekend.

The 89-year-old was admitted to the Quiron Hospital in Barcelona where he was being treated for heart problems.

The Spaniard was widely regarded as the most powerful man in sport when he headed the IOC from 1980 to 2001.

He oversaw the commercialisation of the Olympics during the 1980s and 1990s and established the Games as a world force.

Current IOC president Jacques Rogge paid tribute to his predecessor, saying: "I cannot find the words to express the distress of the Olympic Family.

"I am personally deeply saddened by the death of the man who built up the Olympic Games of the modern era, a man who inspired me, and whose knowledge of sport was truly exceptional.

"Thanks to his extraordinary vision and talent, Samaranch was the architect of a strong and unified Olympic Movement. I can only pay tribute to his tremendous achievements and legacy, and praise his genuine devotion to the Olympic Movement and its values. We have lost a great man, a mentor and a friend who dedicated his long and fulfilled life to Olympism."

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!