Lost a great coach …. Thank You for Changing My Life | Coach Stephen Francis

For more than two decades, Coach Stephen Francis wasn’t just the man standing at the side of the track. He was a mentor, a father figure, a teacher, a friend, and family. Long before the world knew Asafa Powell as a world record holder, Coach Francis saw something special. Together, they built a journey that would change sprinting forever. Countless early mornings, endless training sessions, victories, setbacks, laughter, lessons, and memories shaped a bond that went far beyond athletics. Coach Francis didn’t simply coach champions he helped redefine what was possible for Jamaica. Through MVP Track Club, he proved that Jamaican athletes could stay home, be coached by Jamaicans, and still become the very best in the world. His vision helped lay the foundation for one of the greatest eras in track and field history, producing Olympic champions, world champions, and inspiring generations of athletes to dream bigger. For Asafa, this loss is deeply personal. They spent nearly every day together for over 20 years. No matter how much time had passed, every reunion felt like they had never missed a beat. The respect, trust, and love they shared could never be measured by medals or records. This tribute is more than saying goodbye to a coach. It’s saying thank you to a man whose fingerprints are forever etched into Jamaican athletics and into the life of one of its greatest sprinters. Your legacy will continue to live on in every lane, every starting block, every athlete you believed in, and every life you changed. Rest peacefully, Coach Stephen Francis. Your impact will never be forgotten. 🤎🕊️