The Samoan carrying neighborhood has suffered a tragic loss on the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Lionel Fatu Elika, the country's national boxing coach, died in the athletes’ Olympic Village July 26, the most predominant day of the Games. He changed into 60 years stale.

The coach, who changed into working with Samoa's lone 2024 Olympic boxer, heavyweight Ato Plodzicki-Faoagali, died hours before that evening's Opening Ceremony.

“Elika handed away this morning, local Paris time, in the Games Village,” the Samoa Association of Sport and Nationwide Olympic Committee stated in an announcement, adding that officials met with Samoa's delegation—made up of 24 athletes—”to reassure them before the Opening Ceremony on the unusual time and competitions over the next two weeks.”

The World Olympic Committee stated in an announcement July 27 that Lionel died of pure causes and expressed “its condolences to the total Samoan NOC, his family and mates,” the Related Press reported.

Following data of the loss of life of Lionel, also called Lionel Elika Fatupaito, Ato shared a tribute to his coach.

“I first met coach Lionel once I changed into 15 trialling for Samoa's Formative years team,” the boxer wrote on Fb July 27, alongside a throwback pic of the 2. “He changed into a form and generous coach, now not handiest along with his time, cloth things, but besides his files.”

The 25-365 days-stale continued, “You would possibly perhaps perhaps be sorely ignored coach, your dream changed into to wait on an Olympics with me and pa, now you’ve left too early we haven’t had our first battle on the Olympics love we deliberate! Relaxation properly stale man, gonna omit you on the market, you had been the serene one and pa the storm of our corner.”

Ato also posted his closing pic of himself with Lionel on his Instagram Tales, writing, “No phrases can categorical how I indubitably feel but relaxation in admire coach Lionel. Our final photograph collectively before you handed the day old to this Astronomical Master…”

The Australia-born boxer is competing in his 2nd Olympic Games, after making his debut in 2021 on the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. He’s scheduled to face off towards Belgium’s Victor Schelstraete in a 92-kilogram preliminary competition July 28.

The World Boxing Association also shared a tribute to Lionel.

“We on the World Boxing Association (IBA) prolong our heartfelt condolences to the family, mates, and colleagues of Lionel Elika Fatupaito, the national boxing coach of Samoa, who tragically handed away at some level of the Paris 2024,” the neighborhood stated in an announcement. “Lionel’s dedication and passion for the sport possess left an indelible label on the boxing neighborhood.”

The assertion continued, “His legacy will continue to encourage future generations. Our solutions and prayers are with Team Samoa and all these stricken by this profound loss.”