Tributes continued to be pouring in for former Trinidad and Tobago Olympian Deon Lendore.
Deon Lendore, a 3-Time Olympian and NCAA Champion from Trinidad & Tobago, was killed in a head-on collision in Texas on Monday night (January 10th).
State Police reported his car drifted across the centre line, sideswiped a vehicle and then collided with another.
@machelcedenio – It’s so surreal, unimaginable and painful that I have to acknowledge the passing of my brother Deon. Deon was my mentor. He was a leader. He was our team captain. Deon was such a great athlete and hard worker. He never gave up. He was always there for his fellow athletes; from giving the best advice to always calling to check in. This is a tragedy that I am yet to come to terms with and I don’t think I may ever accept it. From training days to competition days, Deon made it all worthwhile. He knew how to make every experience a fun and memorable one. I learned a lot from him. I am forever grateful that I got to experience him. We lost, a great athlete and an even greater man. What hurts most is that it was so sudden and unexpected. My heart grieves with his family, friends and my fellow athletes and team members. Deon, you will always be remembered for the greatness you were, on and off the track. Rest In Peace bro. Love you always ❤️ 🕊@deonlendore
@reemy_rich19 – You inspired an entire generation of athletes from your collegiate career teaching us to be confident that anything is possible once you work hard enough. You thought us to be strong and fearless in the midst of competition but also to always have fun. You are the one person that can make anybody smile and make anyone feel happy and comfortable around you. I can always rely on you on and off the track. Whether it was giving me the baton in a good position, giving me advice in a time of need, or getting us a clutch win in Fortnite. I could’ve always counted on you. Knowing the kind of person you were you would want us to celebrate your life, to be happy and thankful for every experience and every memory that we had together. Making a national team would never be the same without you. You brought so much life and energy each time we represented Trinidad and Tobago, 4 x 4s will never be the same. I truly appreciate everything that you have done for me and every experience we had I just wish I could’ve told you this in person. If you knew Deon Lendore personally or ever had an encounter with him you were blessed too 🙏🏿.I pray that God guides us through this rough time but more so I pray for his family. Deon was a one-of-a-kind Legendary person that I’ll never forget. Rest in peace Deon we love and appreciate you 🙏🏿 @deonlendore
@coach_vince_anderson – Deon Lendore had the gift of charisma. He was the Pied Piper. His death brought a storm over this group and all who had the honor of knowing him. Today, there was sunshine and even some laughter. This group honours Deon with their amazing display of character and life. Thanks to the worldwide track community for the vast outpouring of support for Deon’s family and Deon’s track family. It has made a palpable difference to the well-being of each and every person here. 🕊☀️
@srmarima – Tribute to Deon Lendore by Santa Rosa/Malabar Cluster Moderator – Fr. Steve Duncan
I first met Arima-born Deon Lendore at the Santa Rosa Parish office, on Wednesday, July 25th, 2018. He was visiting his family at Mt. Pleasant, Arima and decided that he would come to see me on a personal matter. I expressed my delight in meeting him as a national hero, by virtue of the international acclaim he has won for Trinidad and Tobago.
In the course of our interaction, I remembered reading and sharing with him on the words taken from 1 Corinthians 9: 24. I remembered his signature smile of delight, on hearing the words of Scripture, “Do you not realise that, though all the runners in the stadium take part in the race, only one of them gets the prize? Run like that: to win.” This was my way of urging him on (against all odds) to continue doing his best to represent the red, white and black on the track!
During our time of counsel and prayer, he was very honest and open with me. He had a deep sense of patriotism which he carried with much humility. I was touched by his humility, genuine spirit, light-heartedness, commitment to country and faith. May Deon’s example of sportsmanship both on and off the track, be remembered as part of his track record!
As I join Arima, the national and sporting communities in mourning Deon’s tragic demise, verse 26 of 1 Corinthians chapter 9, is a consoling and sobering text: “Every athlete concentrates completely on training, and this is to win a wreath that will wither.”
I pray that now that sprinter Deon has run the race, he may – through the mercy of God – receive the “wreath”; the prize of eternal rest and peace. #deonlendore
@trinidadsportsreality – T&T’S 400M sprinter Deon Lendore, was killed in a car crash in Texas.
Condolences to his Family and Friends. May his soul rest in peace.
Lendore, 29, represented T&T at three Olympic Games; London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. He earned a bronze medal in London in the 4x400m , and was a 2015 World championship silver medalist (4x400m).
Lendore, who is from Arima, also won three bronze medals in the World Indoor Championships and was also a 4×400 bronze medalist at the Pan Am Games in Lima, Peru in 2019. 💔💔💔
@michael_miguelmathieu – Waking up to the sad news, I remembered how we went neck to neck in your home town… the rivalry between Bahamas🇧🇸 and Trinidad 🇹🇹 was real! RIP! #deonlendore #rip @deonlendore #trinidad
@izzsomedia – T&T Olympian Deon Lendore tragically lost his life in a car crash in Texas, USA on Monday evening.
Lendore sprinting event was the 400m sprint. His best time was 44:36.
The Arima native represented T&T at three Olympic Games; Rio 2016, London 2021 and the last Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and was also a bronze medalist at the World Championship Games.
President of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee, Brian Lewis expressed condolences to the Lendore family and shared remarks on Deon’s excellent performance as an athlete.
“Words cannot adequately express our sadness at the devastating and untimely loss of 3x Olympian and Olympic and World Championship bronze medalist Deon Lendore who has been an inspiration and motivation to us all both on an off the track.
Deon has flown the Trinidad and Tobago flag with pride, honor , patriotism and an indomitable will throughout his career while helping and inspiring many. We express our deepest and heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, teammates, coaches, Abilene Club , Community of Arima and all who he would have touched. It is a sad day for the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic and Commonwealth Sport Movement.” #deonlendore #olympian #teamtto