1952 Jamaican Olympian to Receive 'Living Legend' Award at Independence Gala
Rye, NY: Veteran sprinter Byron LaBeach, a distinguished member of Jamaica's 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games will be honored with a 'Brand Jamaica Living Legend Award' at Jamaica's 57th Independence Black Tie Gala, slated for the Hilton Hotel, Rye New York on Saturday, August 10, 2019. Emmy and Golden Globe nominated American/Jamaican actress Kerry Washington will also be honored at the event.
LaBeach was an alternate member of the Helsinki golden quartet that included Olympians Arthur Wint, Herb McKenley, George Rhoden and Leslie Lanig that won gold in the men's 4x400m final that gave Jamaica a historic victory in the event. He was also a semi-finalist in the 100 meters in the Helsinki Games. He later won gold medals for Jamaica at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Mexico City in 1954 with the 4×100 and 4×400 metres relay teams.
The celebrated Olympian who attended St. Georges College in Kingston was an outstanding varsity athlete at Morgan State University in Maryland from 1950 to 1954, following in the footsteps of his famous Olympian brothers, Lloyd and Sam LaBeach. In 1953, he won a silver medal in the 100 meters and a bronze medal in the 200 meters at the Central American Games.
Recently LaBeach, who resides in the tri-state area was the recipient of an Olympic Pin from president of the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), Christopher Samuda, at a service in Kingston that was attended by family, friends and other Olympians.
”We salute Byron LaBeach, a living Jamaican legend" said event Chairman/Producer Sephron Mair.
"We are extremely proud of your accomplishments and thank you for all you have done for brand Jamaica and for athletics.”
Mair announced that making the presentation to LaBeach, will be Olympian Devon 'Oly' Harris, a founding members of the Jamaica national bobsled team, who competed in the 1988, 1992 and 1998 Winter Olympics. During the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang, he was inducted as an 'Olympian For Life' by the World Olympians Association, in recognition of his contribution to society.
The Black Tie Gala - Jamaica’s marquee Independence celebration in New York - is being held under the distinguish patronage of the Minister of Tourism, the Hon Edmund Bartlett. Also in attendance and acting as 'Brand Ambassador' will be the Hon Lisa Hanna, Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade. The Keynote Address will be delivered by United States Federal Judge, the Hon. Norman Hemming. The event will be attended by over 1,000 celebrants under the theme 'Celebrating Brand Jamaica.'
Part of the proceeds from the Gala will be donated to Food for the Poor, Jamaica (FFP), the largest charity organization in Jamaica and Food For The Poor Inc., located in Florida, USA, the largest international relief and development organization in the United States. Log on to www.jamaicaindependencegala.com to get more information.
