Stephen Francis, Jamaican sprint coach, passes away at 64
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 5, 2026, 5:45 PM
Last updated Jul 5, 2026
Stephen Francis, a pivotal figure in Jamaican track and field, passed away at the age of 64, as announced by his club, MVP. His coaching at the Maximising Velocity & Power Track & Field Club played a significant role in establishing Jamaica as a sprinting powerhouse, with athletes like Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah achieving Olympic glory under his guidance. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and World Athletics expressed condolences, highlighting Francis' lasting impact on athletics both in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. The club confirmed that Francis died late Saturday, though a cause of death has not been disclosed.
- •Francis co-founded MVP in 1999, producing Olympic champions.
- •He coached notable athletes including Asafa Powell and Shericka Jackson.
- •He received the Order of Jamaica in 2017 for his contributions.
- •Prime Minister Holness praised his dedication to coaching.
- •World Athletics expressed sadness over Francis' passing.
- 7:07 PMYahoo Sports — Stephen Francis, coach of Jamaica sprint legends as nation became a track power, dies at 64
- 5:45 PMYahoo Sports — Stephen Francis, influential coach who transformed Jamaican sprinting, dies at 64
"Stephen Francis, the influential Jamaican track and field coach whose athletes won Olympic and world titles and helped turn the small Caribbean island into a sprinting powerhouse, has died, his club said Sunday. The training group Francis co-founded in 1999, the Maximising Velocity & Power Track & Field Club, or MVP, became one of the sport’s premier training centers, producing generations of Olympic champions and world record holders. The club said Sunday that Francis had died late Saturday but did not disclose a cause of death.
"Stephen Francis coached Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson-Herah and Asafa Powell.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 5, 2026, 7:07 PMStephen Francis, coach of Jamaica sprint legends as nation became a track power, dies at 64
Stephen Francis coached Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson-Herah and Asafa Powell.
- Yahoo SportsJul 5, 2026, 5:45 PMStephen Francis, influential coach who transformed Jamaican sprinting, dies at 64
Stephen Francis, the influential Jamaican track and field coach whose athletes won Olympic and world titles and helped turn the small Caribbean island into a sprinting powerhouse, has died, his club said Sunday. The training group Francis co-founded in 1999, the Maximising Velocity & Power Track & Field Club, or MVP, became one of the sport’s premier training centers, producing generations of Olympic champions and world record holders. The club said Sunday that Francis had died late Saturday but did not disclose a cause of death.
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