体坛英语新闻：Former IOC chief Samaranch dies at 89, Rogge pays tribute

IOC President Jacques Rogge hailed Samaranch's contribution to the Olympic movement, describing him as "a great man, a mentor and a friend who dedicated his long and fulfilled life to Olympism."

The IOC said in a statement in its official website that Samaranch was widely credited with renewing and fundamentally changing the landscape of the Olympic Movement.

"I cannot find the words to express the distress of the Olympic Family," said Rogge. "I am personally deeply saddened by the death of the man who built up the Olympic Games of the modern era, a man who inspired me, and whose knowledge of sport was truly exceptional."

Rogge added, "Thanks to his extraordinary vision and talent, Samaranch was the architect of a strong and unified Olympic Movement. I can only pay tribute to his tremendous achievements and legacy, and praise his genuine devotion to the Olympic Movement and its values. We have lost a great man, a mentor and a friend who dedicated his long and fulfilled life to Olympism.”

Born in Barcelona in 1920, Samaranch pursued a career as diplomat and sports administrator before leading the IOC for 21 years from 1980 to 2001.

Soon after his election, Samaranch worked towards the abolition of amateurism at the Olympic Games. Despite two boycotts in Moscow in 1980 and in Los Angeles in 1984, Samaranch managed to maintain the quality of the Games and increase the number of participating countries.

One of his biggest achievements soon after he took office was to help China return to the Olympic family. He thus became a friend of the Chinese people.

Yu Zaiqing, vice president of the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC), paid tribute to Samaranch, naming him "an old friend of the Chinese people."

Yu said in a statement, "Samaranch is an old friend of the Chinese people. He had always hoped that China could host an Olympic Games. And his wish was finally realized in 2008. The Chinese people thank him."