President of the Jamaica Olympic Association, Christopher Samuda has come out in full condemnation of the assassination for former Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe.

The world was rocked Friday with the news of the assassination of Japan’s longest serving prime minister in a country known for its very low crime rate.

Samuda spoke of how tragic the taking of the life of Abe has been.

“Death in and of itself is a tragedy of human life and becomes more so in the circumstances of assassination and murder.”

The JOA president also spoke of the role Abe played within the Olympic movement and the honour bestowed upon him as a result.

“The death of the former Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, who played a vital role in Japan’s successful bid for the Tokyo, Olympic Games and who received the Olympic Order, the highest Order in the Olympic movement is not what sport would ever desire.

“It comes closer to a sport which itself gives value and meaning to lives and livelihoods and raises inspired dreams and aspirations from the graveyards of defeat.”

Samuda extended his condolences to the people of Japan who have been affected by this senseless killing that took place Friday morning Jamaica time.

“The Jamaica Olympic Association mourns with the people of Japan and in particular, the Olympic family, on the death of their longest serving prime minister.”

He called on the sporting world to continue to use sport in its intended mission of peace among nations.

“He embodied the Olympic spirit. We must never allow dastard act to doubt our mission in sport, the essence of which is to heal the world through the friendship and neutrality of sport in competition and also, recreation.”

Abe was killed while he spoke at a political rally in the southern city of Nara on Friday.