IOC Honorary President for Life dies at 89

21 Apr, 2010 14:04 / Updated 14 years ago

A former International Olympic Committee president, Juan Antonio Samaranch, has died at the age of 89 in his home city of Barcelona.

Samaranch headed the International Olympic Committee from 1980 to 2001.

The Spaniard's reign was marked by both the unprecedented growth of the Games and its biggest ethics scandal.

The highlight of his spell was the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

But Samaranch's reputation was scarred by the Salt Lake City scandal, which led to the expulsion of six IOC members and the resignation of four others, who had benefited from the city's winning bid for the 2002 Winter Games.

Samaranch retired as the second-longest serving president in the history of the IOC, and then became Honorary President for Life of the International Olympic Committee.

He was succeeded by current president, Jacques Rogge.