Australia mourns the passing of an Olympic trailblazer
The Minister for Sport Kate Ellis paid tribute to former International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Samaranch.
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22 April 2010
The Minister for Sport Kate Ellis says she’s saddened to learn of the death of former International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Samaranch.
Mr Samaranch died in a Barcelona hospital overnight, aged 89.
Ms Ellis paid tribute the Spaniard, who dedicated his working life to sport and in particular the international Olympic movement.
“In 1993 this man brought joy to the hearts of millions of Australians, myself included, by uttering just one word – Sydney,” Ms Ellis said.
“What followed in 2000 was, in Mr Samaranch’s words - the greatest Games ever.”
Mr Samaranch served as President of the International Olympic Committee from 1980 to 2001 and was then given the lifetime position of IOC Honorary President.
“Juan Antonio Samaranch is rightly credited with modernising and expanding the Olympics to the great sporting triumph it is today,” Ms Ellis said.
Juan Antonio Samaranch was the architect of many innovations in the Olympic movement during his tenure as President.
“He will be fondly remembered as a man who put the Olympic movement on a stronger financial footing, encouraged the appointment of the first women to the IOC in the 1980’s and established the Court of Arbitration for Sport.”
Mr Samaranch’s appointment as IOC President was the peak of a long career in Spanish sports administration and the Olympic movement, which began with an appointment as a municipal councillor for sport in the City of Barcelona.
“I pay tribute to Mr Samaranch as the architect of a new and united Olympic movement and send my sympathies to his family, friends and the Olympic community.”
For more information, please contact the Minister's office on (02) 6277 7350
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