Andre Lowe, Special Projects Editor – Sports

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil:
MVP coach Stephen Francis has confirmed that Olympic 100m bronze medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has lost confidence in the programme and is moving on.

The development comes amid reports that Fraser-Pryce was leaving.

"What I can say is that after the Olympic Games there is often disappointment and disappointed people have to make an assessment as to why they performed below their expectations," Francis said.

“Coaches of the disappointed people, like myself have to take the blame and I accept full blame for Shelly-Ann (Fraser-Pryce) not performing the way she expected to,” Francis added.

"So I think its only natural for somebody for anybody to decide that the programme they were under is not working out. Athletes changing coaches is part of the sport. I think too big a deal is being made of the possibility of her changing coaches.

"She hasn’t run a PB (personal best) in four year and I think that is a contributing factor," Francis said.

"I am in agreement with her that she should try something different," Francis added.

Yesterday, MVP president Bruce James told TVJ Sports that he and Fraser-Pryce had agreed not to "dignify" the reports with a comment.

This evening, the issue was put to Fraser-Pryce after she anchored Jamaica to a silver medal in the women's 4X100m relay.

LISTEN FRASER-PRYCE HERE: www.soundcloud.com/JamaicaGleaner [2]

"I think that's a question you should ask (coach) Stephen Francis," she replied.

Reporters persisted, but Fraser-Pryce would not offer another comment.

"If you are asking anything about MVP, I think you should ask Mr Bruce James or Stephen Francis," she insisted.

However, earlier, she hinted that there have been issues.

"There are so many things that are going on now emotionally and I have a couple days to unwind mentally and bask in what has happened here, but it has been a blessed championship so I couldn’t ask for anything else,” Fraser-Pryce said.

“A lot of things have been happening, the toe as well has been a big part of it. I don’t know how I was able to but mentally I knew I had to stand at the line and once I stood there I knew I would compete so for me I just hope that when I get to unwind, things will become a little clearer,” she added.

Fraser-Pryce has spent her entire professional career under the guidance of Francis.