(ATR) He was known as Reynaldo, a man who did much for Olympic sport in Latin America.
Reynaldo González-Lopez died July 4 in Mexico City. A heart attack is reported to be the cause; supposedly he was to undergo surgery next week. He is survived by his spouse, Emilia.
González appeared to be in good health in June when he traveled to Lausanne for the IOC technical briefing on the 2022 Winter Olympic bids, spending some time with ATR to discuss changes coming to Cuban sport.
Although an IOC member in Cuba, elected in 1995, he lived in Mexico City where he served as coordinator of the Olympic Solidarity program for the Pan-American Sports Organization since 2001.His death drops IOC membership to 100.
"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 in a statement.
In Cuba he was a leader of the Cuban NOC, serving as secretary general. He was the secretary general of the 1991 Pan Am Games held in Havana. He has also been a key ally for the return of baseball to the Olympic program for the World Baseball Softball Confederation. González was a VP of the federation and was the only current member of the IOC with a formal background in baseball.
"This is an extremely sad and shocking day. Baseball-Softball and the sports world has lost a great man and knowledgeable sports leader," said WBSC President Riccardo Fraccari in a statement.
"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 by doing everythingpossible to realize his dream of returning our sport to the Olympic stage. The WBSC world body itself is part of Reynaldo’s legacy," said Fraccari.
Hired by the former president of PASO, Mario Vazquez Rana, González was believed to be planning his retirement following the death in February of Vazquez Rana.
The death of Gonzalez will likely cast a pall over PASO meetings set to take place in Toronto this week on the eve of the Pan American Games, opening July 10. He is well known throughout the Pan American region for his administration of millions in Olympic Solidarity assistance to NOCs. He was especially interested in funding programs that help develop coaches and officials.
"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," writes Greg Harney, of Global Sports Partners and Cartan Tours.
In the 1990s Harney worked for the U.S. Olympic Committee in games preparation where he got to know Gonzalez.
"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. He made a difference in the Olympic movement and our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and daughter," says Harney.
Written by Ed Hula
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