Juan Antonio Samaranch, former president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), died at the age of 89 on April 21, 2010 in Barcelona after suffering a severe heart attack.

Juan Antonio Samaranch (C), former president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), awards Rong Gaotang (R), the Olympic Order in Gold in Shanghai, September 16, 1983. Samaranch died at the age of 89 on April 21, 2010 in Barcelona after suffering a severe heart attack.

Juan Antonio Samaranch speaks at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland on June 23, 1993, which was founded on Samaranch's initiative.

Juan Antonio Samaranch carries the flame at the 26th Olympic Games in Atlanta, US, in 1996. The former IOC president died at the age of 89 on April 21, 2010 in Barcelona after suffering a severe heart attack.

In this file photo taken on July 31, 1996, Juan Antonio Samaranch, former president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) gently touches the cheek of Chinese gold medalist Deng Yaping during the medal ceremony for the women's singles table tennis event at the 26th Olympic Games in Atlanta, US. Samaranch died at the age of 89 on April 21, 2010 in Barcelona after suffering a severe heart attack.

Muhammad Ali receives a replacement medal for the one he lost from the 1960 Rome Games from Juan Antonio Samaranch in 1996.

File photo taken on July 13, 2001 shows Juan Antonio Samaranch, former president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), announcing that Beijing, capital of China, won the right to host the 2008 Olympic Games during a meeting in Moscow, Russia. Samaranch died at the age of 89 on April 21, 2010 in Barcelona after suffering a severe heart attack.

Samaranch awarded the bronze medal in figure skating to American Michelle Wing-shan Kwan during the Salt lake Olympic Games in 2002.

File photo taken in 2004 in the Olympic village of Athens Olympic Games in 2004. Juan Antonio Samaranch died at the age of 89 on April 21, 2010 in Barcelona after suffering a severe heart attack.

Juan Antonio Samaranch, former president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), plays foosball with his successor Jacques Rogge in 2006. Samaranch died at the age of 89 on April 21, 2010 in Barcelona after suffering a severe heart attack.

Juan Antonio Samaranch, former president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), poses with Spanish King Carlos in 2006. Samaranch died at the age of 89 on April 21, 2010 in Barcelona after suffering a severe heart attack.

Juan Antonio Samaranch, former president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), poses with a Laureus Award at the Laureus World Sports Awards held at the Parc del Forum on May 22, 2006 in Barcelona, Spain.

The Chinese Olympic Committee (COC) conferred a top honor to Juan Antonio Samaranch, former president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Beijing on August 2 for his outstanding contribution to the 2008 Olympic Games. Samaranch died at the age of 89 on April 21, 2010 in Barcelona after suffering a severe heart attack. 

Juan Antonio Samaranch, former president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), watches an event during the Beijing Olympic Games. Samaranch died at the age of 89 on April 21, 2010 in Barcelona after suffering a severe heart attack.

Juan Antonio Samaranch, former president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), attends the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games on August 24, 2008. Samaranch died at the age of 89 on April 21, 2010 in Barcelona after suffering a severe heart attack.

In this file photo taken on September 11, 2008, Juan Antonio Samaranch (C), former president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), writes a message for the Dongsi Olympic Community Museum in Beijing, China. Samaranch died at the age of 89 on April 21, 2010 in Barcelona after suffering a severe heart attack.

 
Juan Antonio Samaranch, former president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) delivers Madrid's 2016 Olympic presentation bid on October 2, 2009 in Copenhagen. Samaranch died at the age of 89 on April 21, 2010 in Barcelona after suffering a severe heart attack.

Juan Antonio Samaranch, former president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), attends the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games on February 13, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada. Samaranch died at the age of 89 on April 21, 2010 in Barcelona after suffering a severe heart attack.

The flag flies half-mast on April 22 in front of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to mourn Juan Antonio Samaranch, former president of the IOC. Samaranch died at the age of 89 on April 21, 2010 in Barcelona after suffering a severe heart attack.