GENEVA -- Juan Antonio Samaranch, hospitalized for "extreme
fatigue," won't attend a ceremony at which Jacques Rogge formally
replaces him as International Olympic Committee president.
"The condition is improving. We are optimistic. He needs to
stay in the hospital for a few days at least," IOC director
general Francois Carrard told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
"He's alert, he's speaking, he's perfectly in control of what
he wants and says."
Carrard said newly elected IOC president Jacques Rogge of
Belgium had flown to Lausanne on Wednesday and visited Samaranch at
Lausanne's university hospital.
Samaranch was taken to the hospital on Tuesday night -- his 81st
birthday -- shortly after returning from the IOC meeting in Moscow
at which his 21-year term as IOC president ended.
Rogge was elected Monday to replace Samaranch, who was appointed
honorary president for life.
IOC spokesman Philippe Furrer said Samaranch would not be able
to go to Friday's ceremony in Lausanne, where Rogge will officially
take over as head of the IOC. The ceremony will take place but all
public parts of the event were canceled.
Samaranch "will need to stay in hospital for a few more days
and rest," Furrer said.
Carrard said Samaranch suffered breathing difficulties, a
problem he had in the past.
Samaranch was being interviewed by a Spanish radio station when
he felt ill, Carrard said.
Samaranch returned to Switzerland on Tuesday, arriving in Geneva
at 7:45 p.m. after a three-hour flight from Moscow, and then
traveled to Lausanne, where the IOC is based.
At times during the Moscow session, Samaranch looked shaky and
tired. After Beijing was awarded the 2008 Olympics in a vote
Friday, he had to be reminded to sign the host contract before
ending the meeting.
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