KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) has described the passing of legendary track and field coach Stephen Francis as a monumental loss, saying his death leaves a void that will be profoundly felt by his loved ones, Jamaica’s athletics fraternity and the global sporting community.

In a statement on Sunday, the association said: “Stephen Francis was a titan of track and field, whose visionary leadership and unparalleled coaching brilliance transformed the landscape of Jamaican track and field.”

The association noted that, as co-founder and head coach of the MVP Track Club, Francis revolutionised local training, proving that world-class athletes could be nurtured and achieve global dominance right here on home soil.