Former IOC president Samaranch dies

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Photos of former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch, who oversaw the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

Former president of the International Olympic Committee Juan Antonio Samaranch, who oversaw the Atlanta games in 1996, died Wednesday. Here, Samaranch waves to the audience at Woodruff Arts Center's Symphony Hall after addressing the crowd before start of the games.

Mayor Maynard Jackson and IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch shake hands in Tokyo after it was announced that Atlanta would host the Olympics.

Samaranch angered many Atlantans by declaring the '96 Games "most exceptional" during the closing ceremonies, a remark that was seen as a slap in the face. In every other Olympiad, Samaranch praised organizers and the host city for staging the "best ever" Olympics.

International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Samaranch, right, unveils an official Olympic poster at the Fine Arts Gallery of Atlanta in 1996.

Samaranch, President of the IOC, right, answers questions from the press Sunday as he inspects construction progress at Olympic Stadium in 1995.

Samaranch meets some of the dozens of greeters who welcomed him at the Olympic Village at Georgia Tech.

President of the IOC Juan Antonio Samaranch (far right) visits the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers in 1995.

Samaranch meets Namibia marathon runner, Joseph Tjitunga as he was eating in the athletes' restaurant.

(left to right) Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell, Andrew Young, Juan Samaranch, Zell Miller and Billy Payne attend the reopening of Centennial Olympic Park during the Olympics.

Samaranch shades his eyes as he watches the Olympic flag unfurled at the Olympic Village at Georgia Tech.

International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Samaranch waves during a homage given to him in Barcelona, Spain in 2002.

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Former president of the International Olympic Committee Juan Antonio Samaranch, who oversaw the Atlanta games in 1996, died Wednesday. Here, Samaranch waves to the audience at Woodruff Arts Center's Symphony Hall after addressing the crowd before start of the games.

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