When H.E. Marques de Samaranch, IOC Life Honorary President, stepped into the lobby of the Onabrava Hotel in Santa Susana, where he was welcomed by IFBB President, Rafael Santonja, it was the most special moment of the overall weekend at the World Women’s Fitness Championships program.

President Santonja, joined by distinguished members of the Olympic Family, like IOC member Julio Maglione, World National Olympic Committees Association Vice President; Julio Rocha, chairman of the organising committee for the Central American Games, IFBB Patron, Joan Campolier, Executive Assistant to the President, Datuk Paul Chua, and Mayor of Santa Susana, Josep Monreal, met this great Olympic leader.

President Santonja introduced all the IFBB and EBFF Executive members, plus many officials and athletes, who had been waiting for President Samaranch at Onabrava Hotel lobby.

Immediately after that, the hall was the venue site for a ceremony, attended by an enthusiastic crowd of IFBB officials and athletes, in which Santa Susana Mayor presented the honorary award of Santa Susana; President Santonja, in a brief speech, expressed to President Samaranch the feelings of respect and gratitude of the whole bodybuilding family to him.

As colophon of the meeting, President Samaranch addressed a very nice and meaningful speech to an auditorium full of enthusiasm and respect.

When the President walked into the hall, a clamorous ovation welcomed him. The same happened when he left.

A very nice part of Mr. Samaranch speech was his reference to our Life President, Ben Weider “a true gentleman of sport” and to President Santonja, expressing his confidence in him to guide in an appropriate manner the future growth of the federation.

After a morning of intense emotions and happiness, in which this great world sport leader took the opportunity to speak in a very open and relaxed manner with every official and athlete that approached him, he left, leaving in the building a sensation of enthusiasm for this visit, which for sure will be part of the memories of everybody that was present.

Juan Antonio Samaranch maintains a very intense agenda of activities on a daily basis, due to his popularity and tireless spirit that makes him remain with the heavy level of activities that includes many trips which he follows with the greatest capacity and enthusiasm.

Another interesting moment of the speech was his mention of the fact that he had visited, in his mission as IOC President, 198 countries; practically the entire world, including over 35 visits to China, where he is considered like a worldwide icon of our times.

President Samaranch presented Dr Santonja with a commemorative representation of the Olympic Rings

President Samaranch with Dr Santonja during the conference held with occasion of this important visit

President Samaranch receiving the Santa Susanna Honour Award from the hands of IFBB President Rafael Santonja and his Executive Assistant, Datuk Paul Chua

President Samaranch meeting IFBB officials at the lobby of Onabrava Hotel

Group picture of the highest IFBB Officials together with President Samaranch. From L to R: Julio Rocha, President of the Nicaraguan Olympic Committee; Jose Ramos, President of the Spanish Bodybuilding & Fitness Federation, and chairman of the Santa Susanna World Championships organising committee; Javier Pollock, IFBB Vice President for Central America & Caribbean; Datuk Paul Chua, Executive Assistant to IFBB President; Dr Julio Maglione, NOCs Association Vice President; Wanda Tierney; chairwoman of the IFBB Women Committee; President Samaranch; Pawel Filleborn, chairman of the IFBB Judges Committee; IFBB President Dr Rafael Santonja; Santa Susanna Major, Josep Monreal; and IFBB Patron Joan Campolier.

President Samaranch leaving Onabrava Hotel after an intense morning, plenty of emotions for all the officials and athletes who were present.