Former IOC chief Samaranch's death "loss for all Russians": Medvedev

MOSCOW, April 21 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev expressed his deep grief over the death of former president of International Olympic Committee (IOC) Juan Antonio Samaranch, who passed away on Wednesday in Spain at the age of 89.

The president said during his visit to Ukraine that Samaranch had always been the true bearer of the Olympic movement spirit and "a big friend" of Russia.

"His death is a loss not only for those connected with the Olympic Movement, but for all citizens of Russia," Medvedev said as quoted by the RIA Novosti news agency.

Samaranch was admitted to the Quiron Hospital in Barcelona on Sunday after experiencing heart trouble. The hospital said he died at 1:25 p.m. local time (1125 GMT) Wednesday.