Samaranch, Barcelona's favorite son, bid farewell
Source: Agencies |
April 23, 2010, Friday
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Print Edition
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THE coffin holding former IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch, draped with the Olympic flag, was wheeled into the Catalonia state headquarters in Barcelona yesterday to the sound of the Olympic hymn.
Samaranch was remembered in a private ceremony watched by his family and a host of international figures and dignitaries. The building was then opened to the public before the funeral later yesterday.
International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said Samaranch made the Olympics the premier sporting event in the world.
"We've come from the four corners of the world to say farewell to an old friend and great man," Rogge said. "Juan Antonio Samaranch was the most influential president after our founder, Pierre de Coubertin."
Samaranch, 89, who was president of the IOC from 1980 to 2001, died on Wednesday from heart failure.
With the Barcelona native's son Juan Jr, daughter Maria Teresa, partner Luisa Sallent and other family members, including all seven grandchildren, watching with about 100 others, Rogge paid tribute to a "generous, compassionate man."
"Behind a great man there is a rich personality. He was a man of few words but each of these words would resonate loudly and were always meaningful," said the Belgian, who succeeded Samaranch.
"On behalf of the Olympic movement, I would like to express my warm condolences to the family - you have lost a beloved father and grandfather; Spain has lost an illustrious son; the Olympic movement has lost a leader, a mentor and a friend."
Crown Prince Felipe called Samaranch a "colossal figure" in Spanish sports and a "universal" figure in world sports.
Men and women of all ages streamed into the Salon Sant Jordi room to pay their respects, many bringing flowers.
The volcanic ash that disrupted air travel left 22-year-old Chinese student Mao Yunfei stranded in the Catalan capital but with the chance to pay her respects. She said Samaranch was loved in China for bringing the games to Beijing in 2008.
"In our heart he is a hero," Mao said. "His spirit, you can still feel it. There's an old saying in Chinese - if you die, you shall live in people's hearts."
Spanish King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia were expected at the funeral.
The private ceremony closed with the crowd standing after listening to "Amigos para Siempre" ("Friends for Life") by Andrew Lloyd Webber, which was played throughout the 1992 Games that Samaranch brought to Barcelona.
Maria Teresa, Samaranch's daughter, said it was one of her father's favorite songs.
Samaranch was remembered in a private ceremony watched by his family and a host of international figures and dignitaries. The building was then opened to the public before the funeral later yesterday.
International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said Samaranch made the Olympics the premier sporting event in the world.
"We've come from the four corners of the world to say farewell to an old friend and great man," Rogge said. "Juan Antonio Samaranch was the most influential president after our founder, Pierre de Coubertin."
Samaranch, 89, who was president of the IOC from 1980 to 2001, died on Wednesday from heart failure.
With the Barcelona native's son Juan Jr, daughter Maria Teresa, partner Luisa Sallent and other family members, including all seven grandchildren, watching with about 100 others, Rogge paid tribute to a "generous, compassionate man."
"Behind a great man there is a rich personality. He was a man of few words but each of these words would resonate loudly and were always meaningful," said the Belgian, who succeeded Samaranch.
"On behalf of the Olympic movement, I would like to express my warm condolences to the family - you have lost a beloved father and grandfather; Spain has lost an illustrious son; the Olympic movement has lost a leader, a mentor and a friend."
Crown Prince Felipe called Samaranch a "colossal figure" in Spanish sports and a "universal" figure in world sports.
Men and women of all ages streamed into the Salon Sant Jordi room to pay their respects, many bringing flowers.
The volcanic ash that disrupted air travel left 22-year-old Chinese student Mao Yunfei stranded in the Catalan capital but with the chance to pay her respects. She said Samaranch was loved in China for bringing the games to Beijing in 2008.
"In our heart he is a hero," Mao said. "His spirit, you can still feel it. There's an old saying in Chinese - if you die, you shall live in people's hearts."
Spanish King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia were expected at the funeral.
The private ceremony closed with the crowd standing after listening to "Amigos para Siempre" ("Friends for Life") by Andrew Lloyd Webber, which was played throughout the 1992 Games that Samaranch brought to Barcelona.
Maria Teresa, Samaranch's daughter, said it was one of her father's favorite songs.
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