Leaving a lasting legacy and playing a significant role in taking Jamaica’s track and field to dizzying heights, Stephen ‘Franno’ Francis is being remembered with superlatives by his peers, athletes, track and field fans, administrators and the political directorate following his passing on Saturday night.

Francis, who had an enviable reputation for developing little-known athletes into world-class competitors and guided the careers of a stellar list of area, World and Olympic medallists, had turned 64 last Friday.

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, in leading the scores of tributes that have poured in, described Francis as a patriot.