Legendary Jamaican athletics coach passes away at 64
.jpg)
Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 05.07.26. | 21:10
He was credited for transforming the landscape of athletics in Jamaica, and inspiring generations of athletes
Legendary Jamaican track and field coach Stephen Francis has been hailed as a man whose legacy will endure for generations, following his passing on Saturday, 4 June.
Download our Mozzart Sport app for more news
Francis, a much-renowned figure in the sport, is reported by Jamaican outlets to have passed away in hospital, a day after his 64th birthday.
The man regarded as one of the best coaches in track had been unwell, and was being treated by a medical team.
Francis, fondly known as ‘Franno’, dedicated his life to the development of athletics in Jamaica, and is credited for helping and guiding stars such as Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Asafa Powell, and presently Shericka Jackson, to multiple Olympic and world medals.
After earning a BSC in management studies from the University of the West Indies and an MBA in finance from the University of Michigan, Francis decided to go into full-time coaching and co-founded the MVP (Maximising Velocity And Power) Track And Field Club in 1999.
Based in Kingston, the club’s aim was to prove that Jamaican athletes, with Jamaican coaches, Jamaican facilities and Jamaican management, could be the best in the world.
Francis – the MVP Track And Field Club’s Technical Director – was known as a master for identifying talent.
As well as 13-time global gold medallist Fraser-Pryce, two-time world 200m champion Jackson and former 100m world record-holder Powell, the MVP Track And Field Club coached numerous other global medallists, such as: Elaine Thompson-Herah, Michael Frater, Sherone Simpson, Kishane Thompson and Tina and Tia Clayton.
Francis was awarded the Order of Jamaica in 2017 in recognition of his work.
“Stephen was a visionary coach, mentor and leader whose unwavering commitment to excellence transformed the landscape of athletics in Jamaica and inspired generations of athletes,” MVP Track And Field Club said in a statement. “His exceptional ability to develop talent, combined with his relentless pursuit of excellence and deep belief in the potential of those he coached, helped shape the careers of Olympic and World Championship medal winners, world record-breakers, and numerous other athletes, while establishing a standard of coaching that earned worldwide respect.”
MVP Track And Field Club President Bruce James, on the other hand labeled Francis as a man whose vision, belief, and pursuit for excellence would endure future generations.
He said: “Stephen Francis changed the trajectory of Jamaican athletics for the better. He proved that Jamaican athletes, guided by Jamaican coaches, supported by Jamaican management, and training in Jamaica, could become the very best in the world.
“His vision, uncompromising pursuit of excellence, and belief in the potential of our athletes transformed not only countless individual careers, but also the standing of Jamaican athletics on the global stage. His legacy will endure for generations.”
