Jamaican Olympic sprinter Warren Weir is today (October 20) distancing himself from cult leader Kevin Smith after images of the two started circulating on social media following the ritual killing of congregants of the Pathways International Restoration Kingdom in Montego Bay, St James.

Weir, in a terse statement on Twitter on Wednesday morning, said that the undated image of himself and Smith was taken as a “courtesy” after the two met and the would-be-cultist asked to immortalise their meeting.

He denied having known or been associated with the radical pastor.

“Athletes are often asked for photos. It’s a courtesy most athletes and entertainers extend without knowing anything about the people we take these photos with. Please note I neither knew nor have ever associated with the ‘pastor’ in that photo currently circulating,” Weir tweeted.

The 200m bronze medallist at the 2012 London Olympics is among several notable Jamaican entertainers and public figures who took photos with Smith, including high-ranking former members of the People’s National Party (PNP).

Images of Smith beside former Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller, former Finance Minister Omar Davies as well as Grammy award-winning artiste Sean Paul are also making the round on social media.