Mike Lee, the world-renowned Olympic journalist, died of a heart attack last Saturday, several media outlets around the world reported. He worked alongside the president of the International Surfing Association (ISA), Fernando Aguerre, and the executive director of the organization, Bob Fasulo, to get surfing accepted as an Olympic sport.

Lee had been UEFA's head of communications and then, with his company, had managed, among other things, to get Qatar chosen as the host of the 2022 World Cup and London as the host of the 2012 Games, in addition to having served in various capacities in several of the last Olympics, such as the Youth Games, which will take place in Buenos Aires between October 6 and 18.

In a post on his social networks, Fernando Aguerre remembered his friend, highlighting his skills as a strategist and his fundamental role in helping surfing achieve recognition. “This is a great loss, I feel a huge sadness,” said Aguerre, who added: “In everything he worked, he did well, he was careful in choosing who he did it with and the fact that he did it with us had an impact on the Olympic world… This is a very, very sad moment.”

He was 61 years old and the father of two children.