Tributes are pouring in following the passing of George Rhoden who died on the weekend in the United States at the age of 98.

The 1952 Olympic double gold medalist was the last remaining member of Jamaica’s first generation of world beaters who came to the fore in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s, along with Arthur Wint and Herb McKenley.

At the 1952 summer games in Helsinki, Rhoden – as the world record holder – won the men’s 400 meters in a close battle with compatriot McKenley who had also been second in the event at the 1948 Games.

As the anchor on the Jamaican relay team, he added a second Olympic gold, edging the United States by a tenth of a second and setting a new world record of 3.03.9 seconds.

The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association In a release said “George Rhoden was one of the building blocks of our sport in Jamaica.”

“He demonstrated true grit and determination in every single one of his races and was a dependable team member ” and “He would grind out every event, giving everything for his team and his country.”

The JAAA also stated Rhoden’s performances in 1952 “Will always be remembered as they laid the groundwork for the strong track and field nation we are today.”