Stephen Francis, who coached Jamaican legends to Olympic and world titles as the nation became a sprint powerhouse, died Saturday at age 64.
Kingston’s MVP Track & Field Club, which Francis co-founded in 1999 with brother Paul and others, previously said last Tuesday that Francis was in a hospital.
“Stephen Francis changed the trajectory of Jamaican athletics for the better,” MVP President Bruce James said in a statement Sunday. “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.”
Francis coached Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce to Olympic 100m gold in 2008 and 2012, Elaine Thompson-Herah to Olympic 100m and 200m gold in 2016 and 2021 and Asafa Powell to break the 100m world record in 2005 (9.77 seconds), lower it to 9.74 in 2007 and hold it until 2008, when Usain Bolt broke it for the first of three times.
“Thanks for paving the way,” was posted on Thompson-Herah’s social media. “The greatest to ever do it.”
Francis also coached Kishane Thompson to Olympic 100m silver in Paris, where Noah Lyles outleaned Thompson by five thousandths of a second.
Shericka Jackson, who won world titles in the 200m in 2022 and 2023, also runs for MVP.
“Affectionately known to his friends and supporters as ‘Franno,’ Stephen made the bold decision to leave a career in finance so he could dedicate his life to coaching,” Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness posted. “That choice helped shape one of the greatest legacies in track and field and inspired countless athletes to believe in themselves and pursue excellence.”
