ORONTO, Ont. (October 15, 2018) – Canada Basketball mourns the passing of Patrick Baumann, FIBA Secretary General and International Olympic Committee (IOC) member.

Baumann suddenly and unexpectedly succumbed to a heart attack during the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Sunday.  He was 51 years old.

“On behalf of Canada Basketball and fans of the game across our country, I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Patrick Baumann,” said Canada Basketball President and CEO, Glen Grunwald.  “Under his leadership, international basketball has continued to grow and develop at an unprecedented rate and the impact of his efforts will be felt on courts around the world for years to come.”

Prior to joining FIBA as a lawyer in 1994, Baumann was a former player, coach and referee.  In 1995 he was named FIBA Deputy Secretary General.

He was unanimously appointed FIBA Secretary General by the FIBA Central Board in 2002 and held the position until his death.

"On behalf of the entire FIBA family, I wish to express our deepest sympathies and pass on our condolences to Patrick's wife Patricia, their family and loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this very difficult time,” said FIBA President Horacio Muratore.

After becoming a member of the IOC in 2007, Baumann was a member of the IOC Evaluation Commissions for the Olympic Games 2008 and 2020, a member of the Coordination Commission for the Olympic Games 2012, chairman of the Evaluation Commission and Vice-Chairman of the Coordination Commission for the Olympic Games 2024.

He was also appointed Chairman of the Coordination Commission for the Olympic Games 2028 and was a member of various other IOC Commissions.

"This is a great shock which has hit us all very hard. We can hardly believe this terrible news,” said IOC President Thomas Bach on Sunday. “Particularly since, even today, we have seen him working hard, as we always knew him, for the sport he loved. We lose a young and sympathetic leader full of hope who was standing for the future of sport. Our thoughts are with his wife, his children and his family."

He is survived by his wife and two children.