Global General

Hundreds pay tribute to Samaranch in Barcelona

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-04-23 01:27

Hundreds pay tribute to Samaranch in Barcelona

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge (L) delivers a speech during a tribute of former International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Juan Antonio Samaranch at the Catalonia regional government headquarters in Barcelona, April 22, 2010. [Agencies]

BARCELONA - The coffin holding former International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch was moved into the Catalonia state headquarters on Thursday and hundreds of people attended a ceremony to pay their tribute.

The coffin was draped with the Olympic flag with many dignitaries present.

"Samaranch changed everything, he made the Olympic Games what they are today, the world's main sports competition," said IOC president Jacques Rogge at a ceremony.

The building opened then to allow the general public to pay their respects.

The mourners, of all ages and backgrounds, filed past Samaranch's coffin in silence.

Samaranch, one of the longest-serving presidents of the IOC, died from a cardiorespiratory arrest at a Barcelona hospital on Wednesday at the age of 89.

Spain's King Juan Carlos and his wife Sofia will preside over a funeral mass for Samaranch at Barcelona's cathedral at 6 pm (1600 GMT).

"A colossus of the world of sports and of the modern Olympics, and a universal Spaniard, has left us," said Crown Prince Felipe at the ceremony at the headquarters of the Catalan regional government.

Spanish cyclist Miguel Indurain and tennis players Albert Costa and Emilio Sanchez Vicario were among the other dignitaries present at the ceremony.

IAAF president Lamine Diack, IOC vice president Tomas Bach, two-time Olympic champion Sebastian Coe, Olympic champion Rosa Mota and Barcelona football president Joan Laporta were among those that signed the book of condolences.