Within IOC, Samaranch was a man much admired and sometimes loved, the Spanish who made the organization into one that is rich and so powerful. No one doubted Samaranch's ability to make something impossible come true. In 1981 he ensured that Seoul was elected to be the host of the 1988 Olympics. Remember, that was a time when the two Koreas were at war with each other. And because Samaranch helped swing Spanish votes across to London, rather than to Paris, London was made host for the 2012. To China and the Chinese people, Samaranch was considered a great friend. Thanks to his efforts during his last term as IOC president, Beijing and China won the Olympics for the first time. Samaranch led the IOC from 1980 to 2001. Certainly, throughout his IOC presidential term, he had a soft spot for Moscow, for it was there that he was elected president of the IOC in 1980, and it was there that he managed to reach his final wishes as IOC president. Very early on in that 2001 Moscow session he wanted the Belgian surgeon, Jacques Rogge, a newcomer to the Olympic Movement, to replace him as president, for China to host the 2008 Olympic Games and for his son, Juan Antonio Samaranch junior, to become an IOC member. He got all three wishes. Samaranch's death came three months before his 90th birthday on April 21st, 2010.
Who was admired?
What was powerful?
Who hosted 1988 Olympics?
What about the 2012 Olympics?
Who considered Samaranch a great pal?
How long did Samaranch lead IOC?
Where was he selected to be president at?
Who is Jacques Rogge?
Who hosted Olympics in 2008?
When did Samaranch pass away?
How old was he when he passed away?
Samaranch
Samaranch
the IOC
IOC
Seoul
Seoul was elected to be the host of the 1988 Olympics
London
London was made host for the 2012
China and the Chinese people
To China and the Chinese people, Samaranch was considered a great friend
21 years from 1980 to 2001
Samaranch led the IOC from 1980 to 2001
Moscow
Moscow, for it was there that he was elected president of the IOC in 1980
a Belgian surgeon
the Belgian surgeon, Jacques Rogge
China
China to host the 2008 Olympic Games
April 21st, 2010.
Samaranch's death came three months before his 90th birthday on April 21st, 2010.
89
Samaranch's death came three months before his 90th birthday