Two-time Jamaican Olympian Neville Myton, who died of cancer Wednesday afternoon (May 19) at age 74, is being remembered as an unselfish servant who was a mentor to many.

“He was an athlete ahead of his time and a man for all seasons,” said Garth Gayle, president of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA).

“Neville was willing to give everything he had to the sport he loved and to the young men and women of this country.

“Just like his performances on the track, his kindness, warm and inviting smile will stay with us always. We will miss him dearly. May his soul rest in peace. The JAAA sends heartfelt condolences to Paulette, his wife, other family and close friends.”

Hailed as one of Jamaica’s best middle-distance runners, Myton competed at the 1964 and 1968 Olympic Games. He also won a silver medal in the 800m at the 1966 Central American and Caribbean Games as well as a gold medal as a member of Jamaican 4×400 metres relay team.

Myton also won a bronze medal in the 4×400 metre relay at the 1967 Pan American Games.

In the 1500m he won gold medals and the 1964 and 1965 the British West Indies Championships.

In 1964, he ran the 880 yards in 1 minute 47.2 seconds, becoming the first Jamaican Junior world record holder. It is a record that still stands almost 60 years later.

During 1967 and 1968, Myton won three NJCAA individual championships, twice in the 880-yard run and once in the 440-yard hurdles. At San Jose State College in 1969, he ran on a sprint medley relay team at the Fresno Relays that established the second fastest time in history and missed the world record by a mere 0.10 seconds.

For all his achievements on the track for Jamaica, Excelsior High School and San Jose State College where he rubbed shoulders with US track and field legends Tommy Smith and John Carlos, Myton played major roles in the development of some of Jamaica’s elite athletes like two-time Olympic 200m champion Veronica Campbell Brown.

“Your mentorship and support made an indelible impact on my life. I will forever cherish your memories. RIP Mr Myton,” Campbell-Brown posted on Instagram this morning.

He was also a mentor for Olympiian Simone Facey, who saw him as a father figure.

“RIP Dad. I can’t believe you are gone,” she wrote on her Instagram page Wednesday evening.

Myton graduated from San Jose State College in 1971 with Bachelor’s degrees in Social Science and Physical Education and after returning to Jamaica coached athletes at Vere Technical, Tivoli Comprehensive and Old Harbour High School.

In 2006, he was awarded the Order of Distinction, Officer Class for his contribution to the community and country, especially in the field of sports.