2010年4月21日，西班牙巴塞罗那当地时间下午13时25分，前国际奥委会主席萨马兰奇因病医治无效，于Quiron医院逝世，享年89岁。
国内外各大通讯社均已发布新闻，然而最令我伤感的还属BBC的这篇报道——
Last October, Juan Antonio Samaranch stood before the members of the International Olympic Committee for one final time.
He'd come to Copenhagen to support Madrid's bid to host the 2016 Games. Madrid was an outsider in a contest that had been expected to end in a showdown between Rio and Chicago.
"I know that I am very near the end of my time," Samaranch said. "I am, as you know 89 years old. May I ask you to consider granting my country the honour and also the duty to organise the Games in 2016. Thank you."
A few hours later Madrid defied the odds to beat Chicago and Tokyo and reach a final vote against Rio. Samaranch's emotional intervention was credited with being the main reason for the late surge in support for the Spanish capital.
西班牙竞选2016年奥运会主办权失败，可以说是这位可爱的西班牙老人临走前，留在人世的最大遗憾吧。萨老也一直是很亲中国的一位奥委会主席，中国感谢你！萨老，走好！
