ANOC mourns loss of former Panamanian National Olympic Committee President Melitón Sánchez

It is with great sadness that ANOC has learned that IOC Honorary Member and former Panamanian National Olympic Committee President Melitón Sánchez Rivas has passed away at the age of 91.

Mr Sánchez Rivas devoted much of his life to the Panamanian National Olympic Committee, serving with exceptional dedication over several decades: as Treasurer from 1972 to 1980, President from 1982 to 2007, and thereafter as Honorary President for Life.

His contribution extended well beyond his home country he served as Treasurer and Executive Board member of the Pan-American Sports Organisation (PASO), as President and later Treasurer of the Bolivarian Sports Organisation (ODEBO), and led the Central American Sports Organisation (ORDECA).

Elected as an IOC Member in 1998, Mr Sánchez Rivas served until 2014 and became an Honorary Member in 2015. During his tenure, he was a member of the IOC Commissions for Women and Sport and for Culture and Olympic Education, contributing significantly to the promotion of Olympic values and education. His dedication to sport was recognised with numerous distinctions, including the Olympic Order in 2014 and the Order of Merit from ANOC.

ANOC’s thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.