Samaranch Memorial Safe After Deadly Explosion in Tianjin

(ATR) Around the Rings has learned the Samaranch Memorial in Tianjin, China was unscathed following a massive explosion in the area.

Three explosions from a warehouse holding hazardous materials rocked the city of Tianjin on Wednesday. The death toll of the explosions is up to 114 with 70 others still missing.

Boxing federation president C.K. Wu tells ATR "although the Tianjin explosion was in the same district as the museum, the Samaranch Memorial did not suffer any damage."

Wu was on site when the Memorial was first opened in April 2013 and was very active in its formation. Wu wanted to pay respects to former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch with its creation.

It is the only museum dedicated to the late IOC president who led the organization from 1980 to 2001. Wu says China was chosen due to Samaranch’s affection for the country which was awarded the Olympics in 2008 under his reign.

Tianjin is roughly two hours away from 2008 Olympic host Beijing. The city was selected due to an underwriting project from the municipal government.

The museum sits on a 144,000 square meter site filled predominantly with green space. The museum itself is 19,000 square meters. The complex resides within a sports area of Tianjin, with a football arena on one side and a tennis center on the other.

Construction began on the project in 2011, one year after Samaranch passed away.

Written by Kevin Nutley

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