Wolmer’s Trust hails late sprint coach Stephen Francis as 'giant and genius'

Wolmer’s Trust has honored the late Stephen Francis, a distinguished alumnus and legendary sprint coach, calling him a "giant and genius." Francis, who died Saturday at 64, built a legacy of excellence as the founder and head coach of the MVP Track Club.

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a giant and genius

The Trust highlighted Francis’s impressive academic and leadership record at Wolmer’s Boys School, where he captained the victorious 1982 Schools’ Challenge Quiz team. He furthered his education at the University of the West Indies and the University of Michigan Business School, earning degrees in Management Studies and Finance.

Described as arguably the most successful sprint coach in track and field history, Francis gifted the world "unparalleled technical expertise and competencies crowned in brilliant successes." Despite his achievements, the Trust noted his grounded and humble nature, his forthright honesty, and his impatience with mediocrity.

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Arguably the most successful sprint coach in history of track and field, Stephen gifted the world an admirable life of unparalleled technical expertise and competencies crowned in brilliant successes.

However, the Trust emphasized that Francis’s most enduring contribution was not just the championships won. It was the confidence he instilled in Jamaicans by demonstrating that athletic greatness could be cultivated domestically. He proved to his countrymen, especially the youth, that "great things can be 'made in Jamaica.'"

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He was forthright and honest, and never played to the gallery. He was impatient of mediocrity and proved his words through performance, and that in and of itself is an example to leaders at every level.

This achievement, the Trust stated, shattered a myth and contributed to Jamaica's self-confidence, a crucial asset for navigating a competitive world. This legacy, they concluded, transcends medals and championships, reaching the core of the Jamaican identity that must be shaped for the future. Wolmer’s Trust extended condolences to Francis’s family and the MVP Track Club community.

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It is safely rooted in his proving to his countrymen, and especially to the youth of our country, that great things can be ‘made in Jamaica’.