Francis cautious about time prediction

LAUSANNE, Switzerland:

Stephen Francis, coach of Elaine Thompson, was cautious about the time his star athlete could run today.

"I do not know if there is any expectation for tomorrow (today) as usually, these races are different from major championships. We will see what happens," Francis said.

Thompson's main challenge should come from countrywomen Christania Williams and Veronica Campbell-Brown, along with the United States' Jenna Prandini and Olympic Games fourth-place finisher, Marie Josee Talou of CÙte d'Ivoire (CIV).

Asked if there was enough pressure for Thompson to run a fast time, Francis said: "I do not know the full line-up here, but she will do the best she can. [It] depends on how she feels."

Commenting on her sprint-double success in Rio, he noted: "As with anyone, it is going to take time for her to get used to this, but as time goes on, she will learn, and I am sure she will handle the success well."

He also spoke of her chances of breaking the national record.

"It is difficult. You can't predict time, especially this time of the year when the temperature drops in Europe. She will take each race one at a time and we will see what happens."

Francis also was asked about his patience with his charges and what made them click when it mattered most, including Thompson, who many thought should have run the 100 metres at the World Championships last year; Williams, who did not compete overseas in her first year under his charge; and 400 metres World and Olympic bronze medallist Shericka Jackson, who always seems to start her season very slow.

"What I try to do is to look on the end product and what we want to achieve and work towards it."