Former IOC President dies at 89

Former International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch died on Wednesday at the age of 89 at a Barcelona hospital from a cardiorespiratory arrest, the hospital said.

Former International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch died on Wednesday at the age of 89 at a Barcelona hospital from a cardiorespiratory arrest, the hospital said. Samaranch, who headed the body which runs the Olympics from 1980-2001, passed away at 1:25 pm (1125 GMT) at the Quiron Hospital where he was admitted on Sunday after experiencing heart trouble, it said in a statement.

HT Image

An honorary president for life of the IOC, he helped to revolutionise sponsorship and broadcasting deals for major events, seeking global sponsors instead of national federations making their own local arrangements.