Lionel Elika Fatupaito, the national boxing coach for Samoa, has passed away while doing what he loved most—training his athlete for the 2024 Paris Olympics. According to various reports, the 60-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest on Friday, shortly before the Olympic Games opening ceremony. This sudden and saddening news has left the entire Olympic community in shock as they pay tribute to the late trainer.

The AFP reported Fatupaito was treated by the emergency services, but they were unable to resuscitate the 60-year-old. Later, the local prosecutor’s office revealed Fatupaito died of “natural causes”. Moreover, just one Samoan athlete was competing in boxing, 25-year-old Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali, so he too took to social media to spare a few words about the sudden death of his beloved coach.

Farewell to the Heart of Samoan Boxing: Lionel Elika Fatupaito 

Earlier today on X, Boxing Kingdom picked up the update, writing, “Very sad news. Samoan Olympic Boxing coach Lionel Elika Fatupaito, died yesterday at the Olympic village from a suspected heart attack. Thoughts are with the Fatupaito family”. Nonetheless, the Pacific Island nation has 24 athletes competing in summer games this year.

As for the sole boxer accompanying Fatupaito, Plodzicki-Faoagali has a good chance of scoring a medal for the country. He previously won gold in the 2023 Pacific Games. So, when the news hit about the man behind Samoa’s boxing success, fans and others quickly erupted to share some parting words for the 60-year-old trainer.

A legacy that would outlive everyone

The International Boxing Association was among the first to release a statement about Fatupaito’s passing. They wrote, “[We] extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Lionel Elika Fatupaito”. Praising his unparalleled “Dedication And Passion” for the sport of boxing, IBA claimed Fatipaito “left an indelible mark on the boxing community”. 

Meanwhile, Samoa’s boxer Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali revealed he first met the 60-year-old boxing trainer at the age of 15 while training for the country’s youth team. “He was a kind and generous coach, not only with his time, material things, but also his knowledge”, Plodzicki-Faoagali wrote on Facebook. Claiming he will be missed immensely, the boxer revealed, Fatipaito wanted to “attend an Olympics with me and dad, now you’ve left too early we haven’t had our first fight”.

The Samoan Olympics body’s president, Talalelei Pauga, also spoke about the unfortunate death in an Oceania statement, “Lionel was one of Samoa’s top boxing coaches and a great believer in the Olympic ideal”.

The Paris organizing committee for the 2024 Olympic Games said they are “deeply saddened to learn of the death of a member of the Samoan delegation. Our thoughts are with his family, his loved ones and his delegation.”

Even fans from across the globe watching the game love hopped on social media to express their sorrow. One user wrote on X, “Sad news indeed. Thoughts and prayers with tha Fatupaito family”.

Despite the irreplaceable loss Samoa and the entire Olympic community suffered with Lionel Elika Fatupaito’ death, there’s a bit of joy in remembering that he died while achieving his dream of taking his boxer and country to the Olympics. His final day on earth will always be remembered with pride and happiness for the entire nation. Do you have some words for the late trainer?