gotosy 493 Report post Posted April 20, 2010 MADRID — Former International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch was in "very serious" condition Tuesday in an intensive care unit at a hospital in Barcelona. Quiron Hospital chief of internal medicine Rafael Esteban said the 89-year-old Spaniard was under observation for heart problems. He has been bothered by health issues for several years. "Mr. Juan Antonio Samaranch Torello has been admitted to the Quiron Hospital of Barcelona with an acute coronary insufficiency," Esteban said in a statement. "He is currently in intensive care and his prognosis is very serious." Samaranch, who headed the IOC from 1980-2001, was hospitalized for 11 days in Switzerland in 2001 with "extreme fatigue" after returning from an IOC session in Moscow, where Jacques Rogge was elected as his successor. He was also hospitalized shortly afterward in Barcelona for what was described as high blood pressure. He has received regular dialysis treatment for kidney trouble. Samaranch spent two days in a hospital in Madrid in 2007 after a dizzy spell, and underwent hospital checks in Monaco in October after feeling ill at a sports conference. Samaranch retired after 21 years as the second-longest serving president in the history of the IOC. His era was marked by political boycotts, the end of amateurism and the advent of professionalism, the explosion of commercialization, a boom in growth and popularity of the games, the scourge of doping and the Salt Lake City corruption scandal. He considered stepping down after the 1992 Olympics in his home city of Barcelona and again after the centennial games in Atlanta in 1996. Each time, encouraged by his supporters, he chose to continue. Twice, he had the age limit changed to allow him to stay on. Even in retirement, Samaranch remained active in Olympic circles and tried to help Madrid secure the 2012 and 2016 Games. Madrid finished third behind winner London and Paris in the vote for the 2012 Olympics, and second to Rio de Janeiro for 2016. AP Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baron-pierreIV 1683 Report post Posted April 20, 2010 God, those 21 years seemed like an eternity. Plus his tentacles have overeached past his term. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
4gamesandcounting 39 Report post Posted April 20, 2010 Sad news. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scotguy 330 Report post Posted April 20, 2010 This is sad news. Like him or not, he did make the Olympic Games into what they are today. From what i have read, it seems that he is not long left in this world. We all have to go eventually, our prayers are with his family. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ikarus360 585 Report post Posted April 20, 2010 He may had his issues (as i always criticized him for still trying to rule in the IOC even today, like when it was revealed he tried to make Madrid win the 2012 SOG) but whatever you like it or not, he made the olympics what they are today, as he gave them a tremendous boost to the movement after the big crisis they had to endure because of the boycott/financial disaster of Montreal which scared many on bidding. Although of course, he wasnt the only savior of the IOC, and other people should be considered as well. Anyway, i pray he recovers although it looks like he's not going to be very well according to medics... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kenadian 300 Report post Posted April 20, 2010 Samaranch himself knows he doesn't have much longer. After Rio de Janeiro beat out Madrid for the 2016 Olympics in October, Samaranch was asked if he would be helping Madrid with a possible bid for the 2020 Olympics. He said he wouldn't be on this earth when the time came. The 2020 election is in 2013. We all have to go sometime and Samaranch has led a very full, interesting, and privileged life. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baron-pierreIV 1683 Report post Posted April 20, 2010 I want his torches and his pins!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cormiermax 89 Report post Posted April 20, 2010 It will be sad to see him go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ikarus360 585 Report post Posted April 20, 2010 At least he should be thankful that he lived to see the olympics on spanish soil. Too bad that wont happen again in a lot of time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baron-pierreIV 1683 Report post Posted April 20, 2010 At least he should be thankful that he lived to see the olympics on spanish soil. Too bad that wont happen again in a lot of time. I dunno w/ those crazy Spaniards/Madrilenos. I would take a rest for 2020. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kenadian 300 Report post Posted April 20, 2010 Not just on Spanish soil, but in his home town! Highly successful and memorable Games, too boot. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ard72 28 Report post Posted April 21, 2010 Satan is busy preparing the future lodgings for the little Spanish fascist Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkiFreak 123 Report post Posted April 21, 2010 I can't really critisize if he was good or bad but from what I saw in the last years of him being the IOC president, he was to the Olympics like Michael Eisner was to Disney. Seems like he started out good, but then had a fall from grace. Everyone ends up going, but I'm wondering, will two of his last three words be "best" and "ever"? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Victor Mata 272 Report post Posted April 21, 2010 Best wishes to JAS... But can u think about a better boost to Madrid than a "Samaranch Memorial Olympic Stadium"? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baron-pierreIV 1683 Report post Posted April 21, 2010 Best wishes to JAS... But can u think about a better boost to Madrid than a "Samaranch Memorial Olympic Stadium"? Oh please. They'll probably name the cafeteria at Lausanne HQTRS after him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ñuto 2 Report post Posted April 21, 2010 Oh please. They'll probably name the cafeteria at Lausanne HQTRS after him. ¿ni siquiera en estas circunstancias eres capaz de dejar de decir estupideces y de mostrar algo de respeto y de humanidad? imagino que el libro que te mandé de David Miller sobre Samaranch sigue en alguna estantería muerto de asco. que triste, que penoso. Satan is busy preparing the future lodgings for the little Spanish fascist Satan está ocupado en influir tu debil mente de subnormal para que escribas estas cosas. cretino Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
olympian 4 Report post Posted April 21, 2010 Per IOC's Twitter The IOC was deeply saddened to learn today of the death of Juan Antonio Samaranch IOC Honorary President Juan Antonio Samaranch aged 89. RIP JAS! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OneTimeOnly 171 Report post Posted April 21, 2010 Satan is busy preparing the future lodgings for the little Spanish fascist LOL!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baron-pierreIV 1683 Report post Posted April 21, 2010 An era has passed. Hopefully there will be no more future IOC leaders who would appear as blatantly biased to his own (national) causes as JAS did..or should at least stay above the fray much like what Rogge has tried to establish. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aronious 37 Report post Posted April 21, 2010 Former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch dies, aged 89 The Australian - 21/04/2010 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jiejie 31 Report post Posted April 21, 2010 Shall we take up a collection and send a Gamesbids Memorial flower arrangement? After all, without JAS, many lively and provocative GB threads would not have existed... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gotosy 493 Report post Posted April 21, 2010 RIP Mr. President Juan Antonio Samaranch may have overseen the most turbulent periods of the Olympic Movement that encompassed boycotts, bribery scandals and increasing athlete doping, but it was his undoubted diplomatic skill to manipulate people and circumstances that has enabled the Olympics to not only survive, but prosper.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/olympics/7614429/Juan-Antonio-Samaranch-built-up-modern-Olympic-Games.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Raphael 5 Report post Posted April 21, 2010 Some men go far beyound we normally see. This happened to JAS. Like or dislike him nobody can deny or diminish his importance to the Olympic Movement. The moment is just to say "Requiescat in pace". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Soaring 182 Report post Posted April 21, 2010 Be at peace Mr. Samaranch. Rogge might finally feel like he is out of a shadow now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ikarus360 585 Report post Posted April 21, 2010 Descanse en paz señor Samaranch ... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
