Leslie Laing facts for kids
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's athletics | ||
Representing  Jamaica |
||
| Olympic Games | ||
| Gold | 1952 Helsinki | 4x400 m relay |
Leslie Alphonso "Les" Laing (born 19 February 1925 – died 7 February 2021) was a famous Jamaican athlete. He is best known for winning a gold medal in the 4 × 400 meter relay at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. He was born in Linstead, Jamaica.
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Leslie Laing: Jamaican Olympic Champion
Les Laing was a talented runner from Jamaica. He competed in many important races during his career. His biggest achievement was helping his country win an Olympic gold medal.
Early Life and Olympic Dreams
Leslie Laing was born in 1925 in Linstead, Jamaica. From a young age, he showed great skill in running. He trained hard and dreamed of representing his country at the Olympic Games. His dedication led him to become one of Jamaica's top athletes.
Winning Gold at the Olympics
Laing competed in the 1952 Summer Olympics held in Helsinki, Finland. He took part in the 200 meter race, where he finished fifth. This was a good result, but his biggest moment was yet to come.
He was also part of the Jamaican 4 × 400 meter relay team. A relay race involves four runners, each running a part of the total distance. Laing ran the second part of the race for his team.
Setting a New World Record
The Jamaican relay team performed amazingly well. They not only won the gold medal but also set a brand new world record. Their time was 3 minutes and 3.9 seconds. This was a huge achievement for Laing and his teammates. They became Olympic champions and made history.
Later Life
Leslie Laing passed away on 7 February 2021. He was 95 years old. He is remembered as an Olympic hero and a pioneer in Jamaican athletics. His legacy continues to inspire young athletes in Jamaica and around the world.
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