IOC president Samaranch’s wife dead

Barcelona: Maria Teresa Salisachs, the wife of International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Samaranch, died at her home in Barcelona on Saturday, Spanish state radio reported. She was 69.

Samaranch left the Sydney Olympics earlier on Saturday to fly home after learning that the condition of his wife, who had been ill for several months, had worsened.

He was travelling by private jet but was not expected back in Spain until later on Saturday.

Spanish media reports said Samaranch was kept up to date on his wife's condition during the flight back.

The reports said she died at around 1330 GMT and was surrounded by her family, except her husband.

She married Samaranch in 1955. They lived in Barcelona and Lausanne, and have one son, Juan Antonio, and a daughter, Mon.

IOC director general Francois Carrard said in Sydney earlier on Saturday, "His wife has been sick lately and he is concerned."

Samaranch's duties at the Games have been taken over by Canada's IOC vice president Dick Pound.

Carrard would not give any details about the illness of Maria Teresa, saying it was a private matter. But he said the IOC president hoped to return to the Games which opened on Friday.

"It is a difficult moment for him and his family," Carrard said. "He intends to come back."

Samaranch made a speech at Friday's opening ceremony. After announcing that his wife was ill, he asked Australian swimming great Dawn Fraser to take her seat beside him in the stand.



(c) Reuters Limited.