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The former President of International Olympic Committee( IOC) Juan Antonio Samaranch passed away at the age of 89 on Wednesday(20th March, 2010) at the Quiron Hospital in Barcelona. The hospital authorities informed that death was due to cardiorespiratory arrest. He was admitted to the hospital on Sunday after he complained of heart trouble.
Samaranch headed International Olympic Committee for 21 years from 1980-2001. He was the secnd longest serving President in the IOC history. Only Pierre de Coubertin “father of modern Olympics” served longer than him. He was the IOC President for 29 years from 1896-1925. Samaranch who was awarded the honorary presidency of IOC for life revolutionized the Olympic movement by seeking global sponsors and not relying on local arrangements made by national federations for sponsorship and broadcasting deals of major events.
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Samaranch who looked shy but had extraordinary vision acquired the post of president in the times when IOC was virtually bankrupt and marred with the boycotts, terrorism and financial troubles. But when, he retired IOC coffers were filled with billions of dollars. It was only due to his talent and persuasive skills that IOC acquired financial stability and it became ” World’s favorite Sports Festival”. His consummate skills made him the architect of Unified Olympic Movement.
Samaranch’s image took a dent in the year 1999 when he became the part of Salt Lake City Scandal when he asked the members to raise their hands on a proposal involving ban of members visits to bid cities instead of customary secret ballot voting.
Samaranch who brought the 1992 Olympics to home town of Barcelona failed to secure victory for Spanish capital Madrid to host the 2012 and 2016 games.
The present IOC President Jacques Rogge paid fitting tribute to Samaranch and expressed grief over his death. Rogge said that he is personally saddened by the death who inspird him and built the Olympic games of modern era. He added that entire Olympic family deeply mourned the loss of their visionary.
