‘I don’t like to see what’s happening to her’

HIGHLY RESPECTED track and field coach Stephen Francis is suggesting that five-time Olympic champion Elaine Thompson Herah takes up a training programme in the United States.

Speaking with Nationwide Sports, Francis explained that many coaches in Jamaica aren’t equipped to handle Thompson Herah’s Achilles injury.

“Elaine’s body cannot hold up to most of the methods of 99.99 per cent of the coaches in Jamaica. They rely on a lot of natural (remedy) versus mechanical. Elaine’s body cannot deal with those kinds of things. If she was to ask me what she should do, I would tell her to go somewhere in the States,” said Francis.

Thompson Herah’s chance to win a third Olympic sprint double went up in smoke just before the start of the JAAA/PUMA National Junior and Senior Championships last week.

The 31-year-old made the announcement after having already decided against the 200 metres.

“I am hurt and devastated to be missing the Olympics this year but at the end of the day, it’s sports and my health comes first,” she posted to her Instagram page.

Francis, who is the former coach of Thompson Herah, said he doesn’t believe track and field fans have seen the last of Thompson Herah.

According to Francis, while he believes Thompson Herah could be treated at his MVP track club, he doesn’t think she can fit into a packed club.

“I don’t think she will be able to survive using the methods that they use out here to try and get her to top speed. She can’t fit in MVP, right now, because there’s too much talent. That is the priority, but I don’t think she’s done,” he said.

According to Francis, after spending more than a decade guiding the four-time diamond league winner and six-time national champion, he is sorry to see her going through these injury issues.

“I have a lot of sympathy for Elaine. It’s hard to coach somebody for over 10 years and not develop some kind of bond and I don’t like to see what’s happening to her.”

orane.buchanan@gleanerjm.com