The wife of IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch passed away Saturday September 16th at noon in a Barcelona hospital after a long fight with terminal cancer.

Maria Teresa Salisachs-Rowe, 67, was married to President Samaranch for over 40 years and they had two children Juan Antonio and Maria Teresa.

President Samaranch had left just 12 hours after the Olympic Opening Ceremony upon hearing that his wife’s condition was critical and unfortunately received the news in flight on his way back home.

Mrs. Samaranch was a faithful follower of her husband’s Olympic appointments and the Sydney Opening Ceremony marked the first time that she was not at his side for an Olympiad. She was respected and admired by all in the Olympic Movement.

SOCOG President, Minister Michael Knight expressed his condolences, ‘It was with great sadness that we have learnt today of Mrs. Samaranch’s passing and our thoughts are with President Samaranch and his family at this time.

‘ Mrs. Samarranch was a remarkable woman whose energy, warmth and sense of fun touched everyone she met. A few minutes spent with her could brighten your whole day.

‘We appreciate the sacrifice President Samaranch made in attending to his important Olympic duties in Sydney at a time of great personal distress.

‘Very few people knew how much pain he was in fulfilling his duties at the Opening Ceremony when he learnt that his wife’s condition had suddenly deteriorated.

‘I have today written to the President expressing my condolences to him.

‘Further as a mark of respect for Mrs. Samaranch, the Olympic Flag in the Olympic Stadium and at the Olympic Hotels will fly at half mast from noon today until noon tomorrow; a special mass will be held tomorrow and condolence books will be available for signing in the three Olympic Family and at the Olympic Village.’