IOC president's wife dies after long illness

After presiding over the splendor of the Olympics' opening ceremony, Olympics head Juan Antonio Samaranch was struck by personal tragedy Saturday: His gravely ill wife died as he flew home to Spain to be with her.

Maria Teresa Salisachs-Rowe was 67 and reportedly had been suffering from cancer. She died at noon Saturday, a spokesman for the International Olympic Committee said.

"She was not an IOC member, but she was a very close friend to all of us. She was like the first lady of the IOC," said Pal Schmitt, an IOC member from Hungary who is the organization's head of protocol.

Close to tears, IOC vice president Anita DeFrantz said Samaranch knew in Sydney that his wife was near death. "She was a glorious woman. She was always exquisite," she said. "She was kind and generous."

Mitt Romney, Salt Lake Organizing Committee president, said he, his wife Ann and the SLOC "extend our deepest sympathy to President Samaranch and his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with him during this difficult time."

Dick Pound, who as first vice president has temporarily taken over Samaranch's duties as IOC president, said the Olympic flag would be lowered to half-staff from noon Sunday to noon Monday at the Olympic Stadium and the three hotels where IOC officials are staying.

The 80-year-old Samaranch abruptly left Sydney about 12 hours after presiding over his last Olympic opening ceremony and wishing the world "G'day." He was told of his wife's death while he was on the plane on the 20-hour flight to Barcelona, a source close to Samaranch told The Associated Press.

When he left, Samaranch said he expected to return by next weekend. But there's no certainty he will be back at all.

Samaranch is to step down in July after 21 years as president. He and his wife were married for more than 40 years and had two children, Maria Teresa and Juan Antonio.