Legendary MVP Track Club coach Stephen Francis Has Passed Away

The legendary MVP Track Club coach guided the careers of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson-Herah, Asafa Powell, Shericka Jackson, Kishane Thompson, and numerous Olympic and World champions

Legendary track and field coach Stephen Francis has died

Legendary Jamaican track and field coach Stephen Francis, one of the architects of the nation's golden era in athletics, has died following a period of illness. Francis passed away late Saturday, just one day after celebrating his 64th birthday.

As the founder and head coach of the MVP Track Club, he built the Kingston-based program into one of the world's premier track and field clubs, guiding the careers of some of Jamaica's greatest sprint stars, including Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson-Herah, Asafa Powell, Shericka Jackson, Kishane Thompson, and many others.

Francis also appeared in the Sprint documentary series, produced by Netflix in collaboration with World Athletics. The series offered a behind-the-scenes look at elite sprinters throughout their seasons, following their journeys to the World Championships and the 2024 Summer Olympics, with Francis playing a prominent role as coach to several featured athletes.

In a statement, MVP Club President Bruce James paid tribute to the legendary coach, saying: "Stephen Francis changed the trajectory of Jamaican athletics for the better. 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."