THE CANADIAN PRESS

VANCOUVER -- Vancouver's Olympic Organizing Committee is mourning the sudden death of its design director.

Leo Obstbaum, 40, passed away at home on Thursday night.

Organizing committee CEO John Furlong said Obstbaum was involved in the design of the mascots, the torches and the Olympic and Paralympic medals, which have yet to be unveiled.

"Leo is everywhere you look, in every colour, every texture, in every little bit of Vancouver 2010," Furlong said in a statement.

"Leo led and influenced the design of some of the most iconic pieces of the 2010 Winter Games."

Obstbaum joined the organizing committee four years ago.

He was born in Buenos Aires and grew up in Barcelona.

A cause of death has not been released.