The Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) and Jamaica’s Minister of Sport Olivia Grange have expressed regret at the passing of Jamaican Olympian Bryon LaBeach, who died in California on Sunday, December 12, at the age of 91.

LaBeach was a member of Jamaica’s 4x100m relay team at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki as well as the 4x400m relay team that won gold.

He was also a member of Jamaica's 4 x 100m relay team that won gold at the CAC Games in Mexico City in 1954.

“Byron LaBeach, an Olympian and a servant son of the soil, has departed this mortal life and is now clothed in immortality. The Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) mourns the loss of a revered son of our household but will always remember the character that he infused in the life of our home,” said JOA President Christopher Samuda in a statement on Wednesday.

“I salute Byron LaBeach not only for his achievements in the athletic arena but also for the selfless spirit and valour he embodied which, for successive generations of athletes, should be an invaluable lesson in life in sport and beyond.

“These attributes earned him coveted places in the Helsinki 1952 Olympic Games and Mexico City 1954 Central American and Caribbean Games. The Olympic pin which he received officially in June 2019 was for us, more than a symbolic act. The conferment represented the soul of Olympism which he exemplified with ineffable humility.”

Meanwhile, Minister Grange said despite not being as famous as his other relay teammates, LaBeach deserved the country’s recognition.
“From early, he was promising with good performances at Gaynstead private school from where he got a scholarship to St George's College and later fulfilled his promise, representing Jamaica well.

“Deservedly, Byron LaBeach was among the first eight persons inducted into its Hall of Fame, by the then Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA) and he also received an Olympic Pin from the Jamaica Olympic Association.

“My deepest sympathy to his three children and four grandchildren and to his friends and associates. Jamaican track and field have lost another of its stalwarts but Byron LaBeach played a long innings doing his best for his country.”

LaBeach was the second Jamaican Olympian from the 1952 Games to die this year. Les Laing passed away in February at the age of 96.