Mario Vazquez Rana, 82

(ATR) Condolences are expected from around the world with the death in Mexico City of Mario Vazquez Rana.

The president of the Pan American Sports Organization since 1975, Vazquez Rana has been in ill health for many months, unable to attend PASO meetings such as last month’s general assembly in Puerto Vallarta.

The cause of death was not immediately known. Word came via a post to the twitter account of the Mexican Olympic Committee from President Carlos Padilla Becerra.

"Mario Vazquez Rana, moral leader and guide of Olympism in our country died today. We are deeply saddened."

At the time of his death, Vazquez Rana was the longest-serving president of one of the five continental sports organizations that represent the world’s National Olympic Committees.

He will be remembered for his also lengthy service as the founding president of the Association of National Olympic Committees, the umbrella organization for all 205 NOCs in the world. Along with his presidency at ANOC, Vazquez Rana also led Olympic Solidarity, the IOC division which funnels marketing and TV rights revenues to the NOCs. As the president of Olympic Solidarity Vazquez Rana pushed for more revenues for the NOCs which now receive close to $400 million every four years.

But while growing the coffers, Vazquez Rana acquired a reputation as imperious and capricious that may have led to his undoing as ANOC president in 2012. Faced with impending retirement as an IOC member that year as he turned 80, Vazquez Rana refused to respond to overtures from colleagues at ANOC about a plan for a leadership transition. As the likelihood mounted that Vasquez Rana would have to undergo a vote of confidence, he resigned his presidency as well as IOC membership in March 2012.

While retaining his presidency of PASO, Vazquez Rana had also been obscure about his intentions as to whether he would seek yet another term in 2016when he would be 84. Although he presided over the PASO general assembly in 2012 and 2013, Vazquez Rana began a long retreat from public view due to his illness. He was reportedto be suffering from heart and lung ailment and/or gastrointestinal problems.

Despite the difficulties of the past couple of years, Vazquez Rana is likely to be remembered for his resolve to increase the fortunes of NOCs. His support for the Pan American Games has grown the event into one of the largest multi-sport events on the calendar.

"We have to pay tribute to a life dedicated to sports. I met him as an athlete and he leaves a very strong PASO. He was undeniably committed to America and the development of the NOCs in America,"says El Salvador NOC president Eduardo Palomo.

Palomo is one of the PASO board members who will have to meet to plot the course for the organization without its long time leader. It is believed that the presidency will be held at least on an acting basis by first vice president Ivar Sisniega of Mexico, who chaired the PASO assembly last month in Mexico. PASO secretary general Jimena Saldana could play a role in the transition. The next general assembly of the organization is set for July, just ahead of the 2015 Pan Am Games in Toronto.

Mario Vazquez Rana was born June 7, 1932. A successful businessman by career, his companies include a chain of newspapers and a paper products manufacturer.

His involvement with the Olympics started with the Mexico City Games of 1968 where he worked on the organizing committee. He became president of the shooting federation for Mexico in 1969. Five years later he was president of the Mexico NOC. He led the organizing committee for the 1975 Pan-American Games in Mexico City, the same year he was first elected president of PASO. In 1979 he became the first president of ANOC, elected every four years until his resignation in 2012.

His brother, Olegario Vazquez Rana, is president of the International Sport Shooting Federation and is a member of the IOC.

Vazquez Rana is also survived by his wife Paquita and five children.

Information on memorial services for Vazquez Rana was not immediately available.

Written by Ed Hula.