Former IOC Chief Saved From Choking By Quick-Thinking Cop
The Associated Press
July 31, 1984, Tuesday, AM cycle
SECTION: Domestic News
LENGTH: 173 words
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES
Lord Killanin, former president of the International Olympic Committee, choked on food at an Olympics reception last week but was saved by a policeman's sharp blows to the back, officials said Tuesday.
Killanin, who turned 70 on Monday, "stood up, leaned over and grabbed the ta-ble cloth... It was evident he was choking and having great difficulty breath-ing," said police Cmdr. William Booth.
Detective Bill Pavelic, 36, a 10-year veteran of the department assigned to dignitary protection, "struck him three to four sharp blows at the proper place on his back and it dislodged the food," Booth said.
"A few minutes later, Lord Killanin was all right," he said.
Pavelic received a letter of commendation Tuesday from Edgar Best, security chief for the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee, Booth said.
The incident occured last Wednesday night at the First Interstate Foundation reception for the Olympics. Killanin did not require medical attention, Booth said.
Killanin was president of the IOC from 1972 to 1980.
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
For more Information on Bill Pavelic Visit his official website at www.billpavelic.com
