ESP – In memoriam of Juan Antonio Samaranch, IOC Honorary President

BARCELONA/GENEVA (IOC) – It is with great sadness that FIBA today learned of the passing of International Olympic Committee (IOC) Honorary President Juan Antonio Samaranch, who presided over the organisation for more than two decades (1980-2001), becoming one of the most recognisable figures in world sport. He was 89.

During his time at the head of the IOC, Samaranch oversaw a large number of changes within the Olympic Movement and the sporting world as a whole, being brought to deal with the increasing weight of commercialism within sport as well as issues such as professionalism at the Games.

Among his many achievements, he can be credited with the creation of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and also oversaw the inclusion of the first female IOC Members.

Prior to his involvement with the IOC, Samaranch – who was born in Barcelona in 1920 – pursued a successful diplomatic career that saw him hold the offices of Spanish ambassador to the Soviet Union and Mongolia.

Heading the Spanish delegations at several Olympic games, he went on to become Spanish Secretary for Sports and President of the Spanish National Olympic Committee.

In 1980 he replaced Lord Killanin to become the seventh president of the IOC, a seat he held until 2001. In recognition of his services to sport, he was given the title of Honorary President.

FIBA Secretary General and IOC Member Patrick Baumann said: “This is a very sad day. President Samaranch’s contributions to world sport and basketball have been priceless, not only during his time at the head of the IOC, but throughout a life largely dedicated to sport.”

“He and FIBA Secretary General Emeritus Borislav Stankovic worked tightly together to bring professional basketball to the Olympic Games, which has largely improved the level of competition at this event, while substantially increasing interest in it. Accordingly, the game of basketball has grown at all levels, which has benefited the sport as a whole.”

“I speak on behalf of FIBA in sending my sincerest sympathies and condolences to his family and his many friends. He will be sorely missed.”

FIBA