Olympic Movement Remembers Reynaldo Gonzalez-Lopez

(ATR) On Saturday, July 4, the world of sport lost esteemed colleague Reynaldo González-Lopez at the age of 66.

González held leadership positions in international sporting organizations, such as the IOC, Pan American Sports Organization (PASO), the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) and the Cuba Olympic Committee.

Over the weekend, those who worked closely with González reflected on the times spent with him not only as a co-worker, but as a friend.

"Sport in Central and South America and around the world, and me personally, owe him a lot. We will miss his great advice but also his warm and always friendly personality and great sense of humor," said IOC president Thomas Bach.

PASO president Julio Maglione remembered González’s life dedication to sport.

"At all times, he devoted his work to the promotion of sports, keeping the athletes at the center of his heart. Indeed a great loss for our Pan American Sports Organization and the worldwide baseball family, which for years were his greatest passion. We shall remember his kind smile and words of encouragement."

"Reynaldo, or ‘Rey’ as I would call him, was a dear friend, a colleague both at PASO and at the IOC, with whom I was privileged to work closely and who I consider a mentor, a person whose advice I profoundly appreciated. He will be remembered for his great contribution to the development of the Olympic Movement around the world and within our continent in particular, of which his role as coordinator of the Pan American Olympic Solidarity program certainly stands out," IOC member of Aruba Nicole Hoevertsz tells Around the Rings.

"The world has lost a great sportsman. He was a fantastic ambassador for Cuban sport and the heart and soul of the Pan Am movement as well. Personally he was a dear friend who went above and beyond to contribute to the United States' delegation success before and during the 91 Pan Am Games during a period of time when it was unusual to have a strong collaborative relationship between Cubans and Americans," Greg Harney of Global Sports Partners and Cartan Tours tells ATR.

All who offered condolences spoke about his great love of baseball, including WBSC president Riccardo Fraccari.

"Baseball-softball and the sports world has lost a great man and knowledgeable sports leader. Not only was Reynaldo Gonzalez a lifelong friend of baseball, serving the administration and development of our sport for over 40 years, he was a personal friend of mine and trusted colleague, whom I was in contact with almost daily. He will be missed very much, and WBSC will honor his memory and oeuvre by doing everything possible to realize his dream of returning our sport to the Olympic stage."

"He was always teaching and cared that we did well. He was noble, loyal, his principles will leave a great legacy. He advocated the Spanish language and was a good friend with whom I could enjoy endless hours of baseball discussion. I gave him the MLB app for his smartphone, and I will pick up the phone and ask him if he was watching the game. One time, we stayed up watching an 18-inning game this year," president of the El Salvador Olympic Committee Eduardo Palomo tellsATR.

Many people from the sporting community reached out to share their condolences on Twitter.

Les comparto la triste noticia de la muerte de Reynaldo González,Secretario Ejecutivo de la ODEPA y miembro COI. Descanse en paz.@ODEPA_PASO

— Ivar Sisniega (@isisniega) July 5, 2015(PASO Vice President)

Don Rey lo vamos a extrañar ...gracias por todas sus enseñanzas ...Descanse en paz pic.twitter.com/EojPIItWIX

— Jimena Saldaña (@jimeaja) July 5, 2015(PASO Secretary General)

#ReynaldoGonzález Despedimos a un gran amigo que se fue. Gracias por tu amistad hacia el Perú. .@ODEPA_PASO pic.twitter.com/5o2lkPmgx4

— José Quiñones (@JoseQuinonesCOP) July 5, 2015(Peru Olympic Committee President)

World #Rugby is very sorry to hear about the death of Reynaldo González López, #IOC member in Cuba. May he rest in peace @Olympics

— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) July 6, 2015González was a man embraced by all for his good nature and warm personality.

"Reynaldo was a good man. His entire life he lived and worked in and for the Olympic movement. He was a knowledgeable, experienced and fun sport person to be around. His energy and sense of humor were contagious. His credo: help others in order to help yourself. Reynaldo made a significant mark on the movement with a humble, joyous and never-ending service attitude," Dragomir Cioroslan of the U.S. Olympic Committee international relations team tells ATR.

PASO will now try to move forward from this loss during the Pan American Games taking place in Toronto from July 10-26.

Written by Kevin Nutley

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