Samaranch laid to rest in Barcelona

Hundreds of people, including top athletes and politicians, paid tribute yesterday to former International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch as he lay in state in Barcelona. "Samaranch changed everything, he made the Olympic Games what...

Hundreds of people, including top athletes and politicians, paid tribute yesterday to former International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch as he lay in state in Barcelona. "Samaranch changed everything, he made the Olympic Games what they are today, the world's main sports competition," said IOC president Jacques Rogge at a ceremony at the headquarters of the Catalan regional government before the building was opened to allow the general public to pay their respects. The coffin was draped with the Olympic flag. Samaranch's daughter Maria Teresa placed a single red rose over the flag.

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