Global General

Sarkozy pays homage to Samaranch

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-04-21 23:05
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PARIS - French President Nicolsa Sarkozy paid homage Wednesday to the late former International Olympic Committee chief Juan Antonio Samaranch, who passed away on the same day in Spain.

Sarkozy expressed condolence to Samaranch's family and the grand family of the Olympics, calling the former president of International Olympic Committee a great figure of the Olympism, French president's office said in a statement.

"He has contributed unceasingly to strengthen Olympic unity and solidarity, involving international and national Olympic Committees and athletes, to build the biggest world sport governance," the statement added.

Samaranch died in a hospital in Barcelona on Wednesday at the age of 89. He has been hospitalized on Tuesday after suffering a heart attack.