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The Samoan sporting community has suffered a tragic loss at the 2024 Paris Olympics<\/a>.<\/p>\n Lionel Fatu Elika<\/strong>, the country’s national boxing coach, died in the athletes\u2019 Olympic Village July 26, the first day of the Games. He was 60 years old.<\/p>\n The coach, who was working with Samoa’s lone 2024 Olympic boxer, heavyweight Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali<\/strong>, died hours before that evening’s Opening Ceremony<\/a>.<\/p>\n “Elika passed away this morning, local Paris time, in the Games Village,” the Samoa Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee said in a statement<\/a>, adding that officials met with Samoa’s delegation\u2014made up of 24 athletes\u2014”to reassure them ahead of the Opening Ceremony today and competitions over the next two weeks.”<\/p>\n The International Olympic Committee said in a statement July 27 that Lionel died of natural causes and expressed \u201cits condolences to the entire Samoan NOC, his family and friends,” the Associated Press<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n