Barcelona marked the start of commemorations for the 40th anniversary of its nomination as an Olympic host city with an homage to Joan Antoni Samaranch on Tuesday at the Jardins Joan Maragall, inside the Palauet Albéniz.
The event was led by Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni and attended by King Felipe VI and Catalan President Salvador Illa. Collboni praised Samaranch, who was born in Barcelona and served as President of the International Olympic Committee from 1980 to 2001.
“Today we are here to honour and celebrate Joan Antoni Samaranch, a great Barcelonian who always worked for his city,” Collboni said. He added that Samaranch’s name will always be linked to Barcelona, sport and Olympism. The city’s Olympic Museum has carried Samaranch’s name since 2010.
The homage also recalled 17 October 1986, when Barcelona was named an Olympic host city, six years after Samaranch was elected IOC president. Collboni said the decision changed the city forever and that Barcelona chose to build its own future and have its own voice in the world.
Joan Antoni Samaranch was born in Barcelona in 1920 and died in 2010. He worked as a sportsman, journalist, sports leader, politician and diplomat. His 21-year spell as IOC president was the second longest in Olympic history, after Pierre de Coubertin. Jacques Rogge succeeded him in 2001, and Samaranch later became honorary lifetime IOC president.
Barcelona received the Gold Medal of the City in 1987 during events marking the first anniversary of its Olympic nomination. The 1992 Olympic Games changed the city’s urban landscape and international profile, with major infrastructure improvements and a stronger global reputation. For more on the city’s Olympic legacy, see our Sport coverage and Community updates.
Originally published by Barcelona City Council Press Room. Read the original press release.
