PARIS, FRANCE – The global boxing community is mourning the sudden passing of Lionel Elika Fatupaito, the national boxing coach of Samoa, at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Fatupaito, 60, was found dead in the Olympic Village on Friday morning. His death has been attributed to natural causes.
Fatupaito was in Paris to mentor Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali, the sole Samoan boxer competing in the Olympics. Plodzicki-Faoagali, a two-time Pacific Games heavyweight champion, was set to face off against Belgium’s Victor Schelstraete on Sunday.
The International Boxing Association (IBA) expressed its heartfelt condolences to Fatupaito’s family, friends, and colleagues. In a statement, the association acknowledged Fatupaito’s unwavering commitment and enthusiasm for boxing, asserting that his legacy would continue to motivate future generations. The IBA also extended its sympathies to Team Samoa and all those affected by this tragic loss.
Fatupaito’s unexpected death took place on July 26, 2024, in the athletes’ village in Saint-Denis, Paris. His departure has had a profound impact on the boxing community, both in Samoa and around the world.
Plodzicki-Faoagali paid homage to his coach in a heartfelt Instagram story, expressing his sorrow and loss. He penned, “No words can express how I feel but rest in love Coach Lionel.”
The boxing tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics is slated to take place from July 27 to August 10. Fatupaito’s premature death has cast a pall over the event, serving as a poignant reminder of the human aspect behind the spectacle of the Games.