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Leslie Laing

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For the South African sports shooter, see Leslie Laing (sport shooter).

Leslie Laing
Personal information
NationalityJamaican
Born19 February 1925
Linstead, Saint Catherine, Jamaica
Died7 February 2021 in (aged 95)
Clermont, Florida, USA
Height164 cm (5 ft 5 in)
Weight55 kg (121 lb)
Sport
SportAthletics
EventSprints
ClubPolytechnic Harriers
Medal record
Athletics
Representing Jamaica Jamaica
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1952 Helsinki 4x400 m relay
Central American and Caribbean Games
Silver medal – second place 1950 Guatemala City 4×100 m relay
Bronze medal – third place 1950 Guatemala City 4×400 m relay

Leslie Alphonso "Les" Laing (19 February 1925 – 7 February 2021) was a Jamaican athlete and a winner of gold medal in 4 × 400 m relay at the 1952 Summer Olympics.

Biography

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Born in Linstead, Jamaica, Laing previously competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics, where he finished sixth in 200 m and was eliminated in the heats of 100 m. He probably missed a medal when Arthur Wint pulled a muscle in the 4 × 400 m relay final.[1]

Laing finished second behind McDonald Bailey in both the 100 yards[2][3] and 220 yards events at the British 1949 AAA Championships.[4][5]

At the Helsinki Olympics, Laing was fifth in the 200 m and ran the second leg in the Jamaican 4 × 400 m relay team, which won the gold medal with a new world record of 3:03.9.[6] In 2005 he was inducted into the Central American and Caribbean Confederation Hall of Fame.[7]

He died twelve days short of his 96th birthday.

Competition record

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Year Competition Venue Position Event Notes
Representing Jamaica Jamaica
1948 Olympics London, England 4th, Heat 1 100 m 11.0
1948 Olympics London, England 6th 200 m 21.8

References

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  1. ^ "History: Epic Run at Helsinki". Caribbean Olympics Coverage 2008. Gleaner Company. 2008. Archived from the original on 21 August 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
  2. ^ "AAA Championships (men)". GBR Athletics. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  3. ^ "Alan with 7 others". Daily Record. 16 July 1949. Retrieved 14 April 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ^ "AAA, WAAA and National Championships Medallists". National Union of Track Statisticians. Retrieved 14 April 2025.
  5. ^ "Won AAA titles". Daily News (London). 18 July 1949. Retrieved 14 April 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ^ "Zatopek In 3rd Olympic Distance Win". Lodi News-Sentinel. Lodi, California. 28 July 1952. p. 4. Retrieved 18 April 2010.
  7. ^ "News - Noticias".
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