Juan Antonio Samaranch, president of the International Olympic Committee for 21 years between 1980 and 2001, has died. He was 89 and had spent several days in hospital in Barcelona after being admitted with heart problems.
As true visionary, he kept on developing throughout his IOC mandate and even after 2001 strong links of friendship and fond respect for CISM! The current wide variety of common projects between CISM and IOC are deriving from the many initiatives taken together with this great pioneer!

MGen Gola declared “ the world of sport has lost today one of the greatest leaders he has ever known. Marqués juan Antonio Samaranch was a true model for most of us and we, CISM, cannot forget his support to our activities. Under his IOC presidency, he created the favorable conditions which led to the official recognition of CISM by IOC in 1994 as the only international military sports IOC partner. No one can forget his sincere and kind words addressed to our General Assembly 1998, on the occasion of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of CISM in Austria; and his presence at numerous CISM events (a.o. the world Games 1995 in Rome and Zagreb in 1999) shall remain forever in our memories”

CISM addresses its sincerest condolences to his family and beloved ones!