Police in Jamaica confirmed Germaine Mason was killed after being in a motorcycle crash today ©Getty Images

Tributes have been paid to Great Britain’s silver medal winning high jumper Germaine Mason after he was killed in a motorcycle crash in Jamacia today.

The 34-year-old’s death was confirmed on Twitter by police in the country, who he represented until 2006 when he switch allegiances.

His effort of 2.34 metres, equalling his personal best, at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games was enough for Mason to finished second overall.

Russia’s Andrey Silnov the only man to better Mason with his jump of 2.36m.

UK Athletics chief executive Niels de Vos was among those to pay tribute to Mason.

“Our staff and colleagues who worked with Germaine are naturally saddened to hear this awful news,” he said.

“Our deepest sympathies go to Germaine’s friends, family and the athletics community at this difficult time.”

Senior high jump coach Fuzz Caan described Mason as an “a truly lovely man”.

“He had a wry sense of humour and was a pleasure to be around,” Caan said.

Germaine Mason was beaten to gold at Beijing 2008 by Russia's Andrey Silnov, centre ©Getty Images
Germaine Mason was beaten to gold at Beijing 2008 by Russia's Andrey Silnov, centre ©Getty Images

“He was a great ambassador of British high jumping. It is an honour for us to have him as part of our sporting history.”

Representatives of the British Olympian Association (BOA) also spoke of their shock at the news.

“The whole of the British Olympic Association is incredibly sad to hear of the passing of Germaine Mason," said BOA chief executive Bill Sweeney.

"Germaine was a great athlete, an Olympian and a silver medal winning part of Team GB who made history at Beijing 2008. 

"Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”

Ben Hawes, Chairman of the Athletes Commission for the BOA, added: "On behalf of all Team GB Olympians I would like to express our shock and deep sadness at this news. 

"Our thoughts are with his family and friends and with the wider athletics community. 

"Winning a silver medal in Beijing places him amongst a unique group of athletes and underlines what a talented individual he was."

Many of his British team-mates also paid tribute to him.

Sprinter James Ellington, who suffered a broken pelvis himself after a motorcycle crash in Spain in January, tweeted: “Can’t believe the news I have just heard about Germaine Mason.”

He followed this up with another tweet alongside a picture of Mason, saying: “R.i.P Germaine, life is delicate.”

His silver in Beijing was the only major medal Mason won as a British athlete.

However, he did claim the 2003 Pan American Games title in Dominican Republic capital Santo Domingo, where he recorded the same height that he achieved in Beijing.

Mason was able to switch to competing for Britain as his father David was born in London.