We had always been impressed with Mr Hubert Lawrence’s depth of knowledge of track and field as well as his ease of delivery when he appeared on TVJ as an analyst during major games and championships.

That he was able to reel off performance statistics and historical information about the sport and its competitors, locally and across the globe, without looking at notes, was simply astounding. It’s not often that professionals of this ilk are seen, and Jamaica, as well as the wider track and field athletics world, have been truly blessed to have had his service.

He was on duty a week ago calling the Corporate Area Championships at Jamaica College on Sportsmax, and we all were anticipating his presentation at the Gibson McCook Relays yesterday at the National Stadium in St Andrew.

News, therefore, of Mr Lawrence’s passing plunged us, like all Jamaica, into shock late Friday night. For not only have we lost a monumental figure in his field, we are now left bereft of a fountain of knowledge in this sport at which we have done so well over many decades.

Thankfully, though, Mr Lawrence left us some of that knowledge as he authored and co-authored several track and field books, among them Champs 100, 50 Days of Fire and The Power and Glory: Jamaica in World Athletics, from WWII to the Diamond League Era which holds special significance for us at this newspaper as he and our now late Photo Editor Mr Bryan Cummings co-authored that tome in 2012.

The Power and Glory is easily one of the most comprehensive presentations of Jamaica’s athletics history, and the fact that both men were avid scholars of the sport made it even more rich and meaningful.

We share Sports Minister Ms Olivia Grange’s view that Mr Lawrence’s depth of knowledge about track and field was perhaps unparalleled. Ms Grange hit the nail on the head when she said: “His death will leave a huge void in commentary and analysis on the sport as few were as knowledgeable and articulate about it as he was.”

Outside of his engagement in track and field we found Mr Lawrence to be a warm and personable human being. A man who always had a kind word and who was always willing to share his knowledge and expertise without any display of ego.

Given Mr Lawrence’s contribution to Jamaica, the country, we believe, has a duty to preserve and protect his legacy. For he has certainly distinguished himself among the pantheons of global athletics in much the same manner as the great Jamaican athletes whose performances he analysed and presented with great skill and class over many years.

The Government has long spoken of establishing a sports museum as part of a modern, state-of-the-art National Stadium with monuments to the country’s great achievements in sports. There is a place, we suggest, in that museum for Mr Lawrence, who was no doubt a national treasure. The State would do well to get the project up and completed.

We extend our deepest condolence to his family, friends, and colleagues. May his soul rest in peace.