Reports by news media this morning confirmed that Lionel Elika Fatupaito died at the Olympic Village on Friday, 26 July.
“Heartbroken and speechless, we mourn the loss of Coach Lionel Fatupaito, who was living his dream at the Olympics. A cherished friend, father, brother, and coach, his legacy will live on. Our heartfelt condolences to his family. Fly high, Coach Lionel. Your profound impact on Marist and Samoa boxing will forever be remembered. You will be deeply missed,” read a post on Marist Boxing – Samoa’s Facebook page.
In a statement published by the Samoa Observer, Samoa Boxing President Tagaloatele Pasi Poloa expressed his shock at the news.
“Lionel had always dreamed of coaching an athlete in the Olympics, and that dream came true. God called him home, and he was already there at the Olympics with a son of Samoa. That was how I felt too; he’s been serving our association for so long, so he deserved it. It was a well-deserved trip for him,” he said.
Tagaloatele also mentioned that Lionel had his medical clearance and was unsure what had happened in Paris.
The International Boxing Association (IBA) also expressed their condolences in a heartfelt statement: “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 Paris 2024.”
Samoa has only one heavyweight boxer, Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali, competing for a medal at the Paris Olympics. His first fight is scheduled for tomorrow, Monday, 29 July in the Men’s 92kg Preliminaries Round of 16 against Victor Schelstraete from Belgium.
