The International Boxing Association announced on Saturday that Samoa's national boxing team coach, Lionel Fatu Erika, died on Friday at the Paris Olympics. He was 60 years old.
Samoa's only boxer at the tournament, heavyweight Ato Projitki Faoagali, said on Facebook that Erica was “a kind and generous coach, not only with his time and resources but also with his knowledge”.
“I first met Coach Lionel when I was 15 and trying out for the Samoa youth team,” Prozicke-Faoagali wrote.
“Coach, I will miss you so much. Your dream was to go to the Olympics with me and my dad, but because you passed away early, we are not able to play our first match at the Olympics as we had planned!”
The Samoa Sports Society and National Olympic Committee (SASNOC) said in a statement that Erika died in the athletes' village. SASNOC has not released an official cause of death.
“Lionel was one of Samoa's top boxing coaches and a strong believer in the Olympic ideals,” said Samoa NOC President Pauga Talalelei Pauga.
According to a SASNOC statement, Pauga and SASNOC Secretary-General Maureen Tuimalealiifano met with the Samoan delegation for a briefing and team prayer.
“Lionel's dedication and passion for the sport has left an indelible mark on the boxing world,” the IBA said in a statement. “His legacy will continue to inspire future generations. Our thoughts and prayers are with Team Samoa and all those suffering this great loss.”
Prozicki-Faoagali, a two-time Pacific Games champion who will face Belgium's Victor Schelstraete on Sunday, has also won two Commonwealth Games silver medals and is representing Samoa at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
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(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
