Sam Clayton Jr., who was a member of the Jamaican bobsled team in the early days of the programme leading up to the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, died on March 31 in Kingston after being infected by COVID-19.

Clayton, who was 58 when he died, did not make the team that was eventually selected to compete at the Winter Olympics but his contribution to the programme was significant.

Devon Harris, who along with Dudley Stokes, Michael White and Freddie Powell, went on to make history and inspire the Cool Runnings movie, was crestfallen at the news Clayton’s passing.

“I am saddened by the news of the passing of my teammate Samuel Clayton. I haven’t spoken with him in many years but news of his untimely death was a punch to the gut,” said Harris.

“Although he never made the Olympic team Sammy was an integral part of the Jamaica bobsled team. He was among the very first four selected to spearhead Jamaica’s entrance into Winter sports and the Winter Olympics.

“The first time I ever went down a bobsled run, Sammy was the driver. We had some fun. He was my roommate, we became friends and he was definitely a trailblazer, a patriot, who competed fiercely while representing Jamaica and obviously went on to blaze a trail in the music industry as well. He was an amazing human being who will be sadly missed.”

President of the Jamaica Bobsleigh Association Chris Stokes, whose brother, Dudley, was eventually selected to be the driver at the 1988 Olympics, lauded Clayton for his bravery as one of those taking the first step to getting the programme off the ground.

“Not everyone is going to be willing to get into a bobsled and drive down a hill at 70mph. That to me takes tremendous courage,” Stokes said.

“He didn’t have a long history of people doing it and he agreed to that which set the pace for the team going towards the Olympics. Sammy was loved and made a tremendous contribution, so we say thank you for that. He was willing to take the first step.”

After leaving the bobsled programme, Clayton delved into the music industry as a producer, sound engineer and a manager while working with Harry J Studio.

His widow Annie, a daughter, three sons and three grandchildren survive him. 

So far, five Jamaicans have died after being infected by the Coronavirus.