TRIBUTES have poured in for a legendary south Essex Olympian loved dearly by his peers, competitors and family.

John Albert Webb passed away aged 85 on Wednesday, November 9 after a lengthy period of ill health.

Mr Webb, born in Dagenham on December 12, 1936, was Basildon Athletic Club's first Olympian, competing in the 1968 Mexico Olympics in the 20-kilometre walk – the club still issues an award in his name every year.

The inspirational athlete, who moved to Essex as a young adult, finished 22nd out of a field of 34 competitors from 20 nations.

Finishing just two places behind him, was fellow countrymen Robert Hughes who has paid tribute to his good friends.

“He was one of the best guys you could wish to meet,” Mr Hughes said.

“Johnny Webb came to my wedding along with one or two other notable walkers, way back in November 1969.

“I had a few battles with both and also suffered in a few races with him, but we always went back for more, sometimes taking in turn to be the victors.”

Mr Webb made eight international appearances for Britain between 1966 and 1972, competing in the European Championships in 1966 and 1969, according to records provided by statistician Peter Matthews.

He won his first senior national title in the 10 miles championship over a one-lap course at Leyland in 1973.

At the time, competitive walking was a fledgling sport, and Mr Webb’s appearance on the world’s largest stage inspired a host of people across Essex and east London to follow in his footsteps.

Pal Warburton, a former member of Southend-on-Sea Athletic Club, recalled how he was inspired to take up race walking by Mr Webb.

“ He was the first race walker I saw in the flesh,” he said.

“He used to train past the house each night. His passing is so very sad.”

Sandra Brown, 73, a former international race walker who holds several world records, said: “John lived near the Bristol to Bath old railway path and said that he did all his training up and down that excellent recreational route. 

“We always speak of him whenever we walk on the old railway path, as we did recently.”

The funeral will be in Bristol, where Mr Webb lived with his wife Sarah, on Friday, November 18.