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It is with extreme sadness that the Samoa Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee (SASNOC) announces the passing of boxing coach Mr Lionel Fatu Elika.
Elika passed away this morning, local Paris time, in the Games Village.
“Lionel was one of Samoa’s top boxing coaches and a great believer in the Olympic ideal,” Samoa NOC President Mr 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 greatly missed,” President Pauga said.
President Pauga and Secretary General Ms Maureen Tuimalealiifano met with the Samoa delegation this afternoon for a briefing and team prayer to reassure them ahead of the Opening Ceremony today and competitions over the next two weeks.
The Samoan NOC will not issue any further statements and requests that the privacy of Lionel’s family and the athletes are respected during this difficult time.
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Established in 1981, the Oceania National Olympic Committees (ONOC) is one of five Continental Associations. It looks after the interests of 17 member nations in the Oceania Region, including Australia and New Zealand as well as seven associate members.
ONOC has an office in Guam where Secretary General Mr. Ricardo Blas is based and the Secretariat in Suva, Fiji, where the Office of the President Dr Robin Mitchell is located.
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shivneel@oceanianoc.org
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