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FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann dies, aged 51

October 14th, 2018 | Tags:
Patrick Baumann suddenly and unexpectedly succumbed to a heart attack during the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Photo: FIBA
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Patrick Baumann, the Secretary General of basketball's world governing body who was seen as a potential IOC president, has died at the Youth Olympics at age 51.

According to reports from the Associated Press, Baumann "unexpectedly succumbed to a heart attack" in Buenos Aires despite getting immediate medical help, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) said Sunday in a statement.

Deep sympathy  

FIBA President Horacio Muratore said: "On behalf of the entire FIBA family, I wish to express our deepest sympathies and pass on our condolences to Patrick's wife Patricia, their family and loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this very difficult time.

"Patrick was a lot more than FIBA's Secretary General and an IOC member. He was a very close friend of mine as well as to countless people in the basketball family and the wider sport community,” FIBA said in its official statement.

A Swiss national born on August 5, 1967, Mr Baumann was a former player, coach and referee who first joined FIBA as a lawyer in 1994 and was appointed FIBA Deputy Secretary General in 1995.  In 2002, he was unanimously appointed FIBA Secretary General by the FIBA Central Board. As such, he became only the third FIBA Secretary General, after Dr. William Jones and Borislav Stankovic. 

Strong legacy

Mr Baumann officially started his term of office in 2003, a position he held until his death.  He had an impressive educational background including an MBA from the Business School of the University of Chicago, a Masters in Sports Administration Management (MEMOS) from the University of Lyon in France and a law degree from the University of Lausanne.

Baumann was FIBA's top administrator for 15 years, and an International Olympic Committee member since 2007. Mr Baumann is survived by his wife and two children.

The local President of the BVI Basketball Federation Guy L. Malone also expressed condolences on the death of Mr. Baumann on behalf of the BVI, as the Territory  is a member of FIBA.

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