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WALK GOOD FRANO Legendary coach Stephen Francis dies at 64
Jamaica is mourning the loss of one of the most influential figures in its sporting history following the death of legendary track and field coach Stephen Francis, whose revolutionary approach to sprint coaching helped transform the island into a global athletics powerhouse. Francis, the internationally acclaimed coach, entrepreneur and co-founder of the MVP Track Club, died late Saturday after battling illness. He was 64. Widely regarded as one of the greatest
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THURSDAY JULY 9, 2026
Broward, MiamiDade prepare vote-by-mail ballots for Aug. 18 primary election
"By guiding many of Jamaica's legendary and most accomplished athletes to stardom, Stephen's contribution to building Brand Jamaica is immeasurable and worthy of high praise," – PM Andrew Holness
sprint coaches in the sport's history, Francis reshaped Jamaican athletics by proving that world-class champions could be developed and sustained at home. His scientific training methods, uncompromising standards and long-term vision changed not only Jamaican track and field but also coaching philosophies around the world. As co-founder and technical director of the MVP Track Club, established in 1999, Francis guided generations of elite athletes to extraordinary success. Under his leadership, MVP athletes won more than 50 World Athletics Championship medals and nearly 30 Olympic medals, cementing Jamaica's reputation as one of the world's premier sprinting nations. Among the champions he coached were
Election officials in Broward and Miami-Dade counties are moving ahead with vote-by-mail preparations for Florida's Aug. 18 primary election, with military and overseas ballots already mailed in Broward and general vote-bymail ballots set to be mailed in MiamiDade later this week. The Broward Supervisor of Elections Office said it mailed more than 300 voteby-mail ballots on July 1 to military personnel and overseas citizens eligible to vote under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA). Eligible UOCAVA voters include members of the U.S. armed forces — including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service and Merchant Marine — along with their eligible family members, members of the National Guard and organized Reserve, and U.S. citizens residing outside the United States.
Asafa Powell, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shericka Jackson, Brigitte Foster-Hylton, Melaine Walker, Michael Frater, Sherone Simpson, Kerron Stewart and Tajay Gayle. Prime Minister Andrew Holness led the tributes, describing Francis as an "iconic track and field coach and businessman" whose contribution to Jamaica was immeasurable. "By guiding many of Jamaica's legendary and most accomplished athletes to stardom, Stephen's contribution to building Brand Jamaica is immeasurable and worthy of high praise," Holness said. The prime minister noted that Francis left a career in finance to pursue coaching—a decision that helped produce one of the greatest legacies in track and field.
In addition to registering to vote, UOCAVA voters may request a vote-bymail ballot by submitting a Federal Post Card Application. Election officials reminded military and overseas voters that completed ballots may be returned by mail or fax directly to the Supervisor of Elections Office but cannot be returned by email.
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