Legendary Jamaican track and field coach Vincent Stephen Francis has died following a brief illness.
Francis, the co-founder and head coach of MVP Track and Field Club, passed away on Saturday, one day after celebrating his 64th birthday.
He had been battling health issues in recent months, with the club confirming last week that he was receiving medical care in hospital.
Francis helped reshape Jamaica’s sprinting landscape through the MVP programme, which he co-founded in 1999.
The club became one of the world’s most successful track and field programmes, producing and guiding a long list of Olympic and World Championship medallists.
Among the athletes associated with Francis and MVP are Asafa Powell, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson-Herah and Shericka Jackson.
Francis’ contribution to the sport earned him major national recognition. He was conferred with the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer for his service to athletics, and in 2017 was appointed to the Order of Jamaica for outstanding contribution to track and field through coaching.