Farewell to Franno

The thanksgiving service for veteran track and field coach Stephen ‘Franno’ Francis will be held today at the National Indoor Sports Centre, Independence Park, beginning at 11 a.m.

Francis, founder and longtime head coach of the MVP Track Club, passed away on July 4, 2026, one day after celebrating his 64th birthday. He is remembered as one of Jamaica’s most influential and legacy‑defining coaches – a pioneer who proved that Jamaican athletes could become world- beaters while training at home.

Widely regarded as one of the world’s best track and field coaches, Francis shaped the careers of several of Jamaica’s greatest athletes, including former world record holder Asafa Powell, Shelly‑Ann Fraser‑Pryce, Elaine Thompson‑Herah, Shericka Jackson, and Michael Frater. At the time of his passing, he was also guiding a new generation of rising stars, among them Kishane Thompson, Tia Clayton, Tina Clayton, and Gary Card.

His death sent shock waves throughout the local and global athletics community.

Nation builder

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness and Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange will deliver tributes, honouring Francis as one of Jamaica’s nation builders. Ahead of the service, Dr Holness reflected on Francis’ transformative impact.

“Jamaica has lost a remarkable son. But in reflecting on Stephen Francis, we must look beyond the medals, records, and championships. His most consequential contribution was that he changed our understanding of what Jamaican sport could become,” Dr Holness said.

“We should not remember Stephen Francis simply by asking how many champions he produced. We should ask what did he build that allowed champions to emerge. His life reminds us that the future of Jamaican sport cannot depend solely on the extraordinary individual.”

Former world champion Brigitte Foster‑Hylton and former men’s world record holder Asafa Powell will also pay tribute. Powell remembered Francis as the man who taught him how to believe.

“My heart aches as I say goodbye to the man who saw in me what I couldn’t see in myself,” Powell said.

“For over 20 years, my coach was a father, a brother, a friend. He brought me from the countryside from Charlemont High School to Kingston, held a dream when I had none, and taught me to believe in myself, told me I could break records,” he continued.

“I’m so grateful that I was a part of his dream and made it come true. Thank you for your guidance, your discipline, and for pushing me to become the athlete and the man that I am today.”

Ten‑time World Championships gold medallist Shelly‑Ann Fraser‑Pryce will deliver the scripture reading, while the eulogy will be presented by Paul Francis, brother of the late coach.

In a tribute prepared for the service, World Athletics president Sebastian Coe hailed Francis as a visionary whose influence extended far beyond Jamaica.

“Stephen Francis leaves an extraordinary legacy, not only in Jamaican athletics but across our sport,” Coe said.

“On behalf of World Athletics, I offer my sincere condolences to Stephen’s family, friends, colleagues and athletes, and to the wider Jamaican athletics community. Our sport has lost one of its great coaches, but the impact of Stephen Francis will be felt for generations to come.”

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com