Samoa's Olympic boxing coach dies suddenly of cardiac arrest in Paris [VIDEO]

Tragedy struck the 2024 Paris Olympics when Samoan boxing coach Lionel Fatu Elika, 60, died on Friday after suffering a cardiac arrest in the Olympic Village.

The Samoa Sports Association and National Olympic Committee (SASNOC) confirmed Elika's death in a statement sent to Fox News. “Lionel was one of the best boxing coaches in Samoa and a great believer in the Olympic ideal,” SASNOC President Pauga Talalelei Pauga said. “Our thoughts and those of the entire Samoan sporting community are with Lionel's family, his boxers and friends. He will be sorely missed.”

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Elika was the team manager for Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali, the top male heavyweight boxer. Plodzicki-Faoagali expressed her grief on Instagram, sharing a photo of herself with Elika and writing: “There are no words to express how I feel but rest in love Coach Lionel.”

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) reported that Elika died of natural causes and extended its condolences to her family, friends and the entire Samoan NOC in a statement shared with the Washington Post.

The International Boxing Association (IBA) also issued a statement, slightly varying the spelling of its name: “We at the International Boxing Association (IBA) extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Lionel Elika Fatupaito, the national boxing coach of Samoa, who died tragically during Paris 2024.

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