Deano 🇯🇲 retweeted
Franno walked away from a promising finance career to chase a different ambition: proving Jamaican sprinters could become world champions without ever leaving home.
In 1999, he co-founded the MVP Track & Field Club in Kingston, and over the next two decades reshaped global sprinting. His genius lay in developing numerous world-class sprinters who have dominated international competitions often taking athletes dismissed as “ordinary” and forging them into champions.
The results were staggering. Under his guidance, MVP athletes won 56 IAAF World Championship medals, 28 Olympic medals, 25 Jamaican National Records, three Olympic Records and five World Records
His roster reads like a hall of fame: former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell, multiple Olympic 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, double Olympic sprint champion and fastest woman alive, Elaine Thompson-Herah, alongside Shericka Jackson and Brigitte Foster-Hylton.
Beyond the medals, Francis’s true legacy was philosophical: he proved that world-class athletes can be discovered, trained, and managed entirely within Jamaica, breaking the old pipeline to American colleges and giving Jamaica ownership of its own sprinting destiny.
Deano 🇯🇲 retweeted
May his soul rest in peace, Vincent Stephen Francis, July 3, 1963 to July 4, 2026.
Sincerest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
I am deeply saddened by the passing of iconic track and field coach and businessman, the Honourable Vincent Stephen Francis OJ.
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.
There is no doubt that Stephen was a patriot who wanted the best for his country. His work impacted a host of lives in positive ways.
Affectionately known to his friends and supporters as “Franno,” Stephen made the bold decision to leave a career in finance so he could dedicate his life to coaching.
That choice helped shape one of the greatest legacies in track and field and inspired countless athletes to believe in themselves and pursue excellence.
Jamaica has lost a remarkable son whose impact will be felt for generations. Stephen knew how much we appreciated his work and his herculean contribution to our island and to global track and field in general.
In 2017, the Government of Jamaica bestowed on Stephen the country’s fourth highest national honour, the Order of Jamaica (OJ).
My heartfelt condolences go to Stephen’s family, friends, athletes, and the entire sports fraternity. May his soul rest in peace, and may light perpetually shine upon him.
Deano 🇯🇲 retweeted
To George and Laura, Bill and Hillary — we're grateful for your friendship, counsel, and devotion to this country. And to Joe and Jill, thank you for being on this journey with us.
Deano 🇯🇲 retweeted
Becky Hammon on why the Knicks can’t win a championship:
“They don't have a dude... you got to have a 1A dude."
Perkins: "They do have that dude…Jalen Brunson."
Hammon: "He too small. If your best player is small, you're not winning."
Deano 🇯🇲 retweeted
New Route Alert! ✈️🇨🇴 Starting June 23, 2026, fly direct from MBJ to Medellín, Colombia with Wingo Airlines!
📍 3x weekly flights
🚫 NO VISA needed for Jamaican nationals 🇯🇲
The "City of Eternal Spring" is just one flight away. Book your seat!
Deano 🇯🇲 retweeted
FAA Statement
Air Canada Express Flight 8646 struck an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting vehicle after landing on Runway 4 at LaGuardia Airport in New York. The accident occurred around 11:40 p.m. local time on Sunday, March 22. The CRJ-900 was arriving from Montreal. The FAA and NTSB will investigate. The NTSB is in charge of the investigation and will provide all updates.
The airport is closed. Visit the NOTAM site for additional information.
This information is preliminary and subject to change.
Deano 🇯🇲 retweeted
LOT Polish Airlines Embraer E170STD arriving from Warsaw slid off the taxiway after landing at Vilnius Airport on Thursday, prompting authorities to temporarily close the runway, airport officials said.
LO771, touched down at 13:43 but veered off the paved surface while taxiing toward its stand, said Tadas Vasiliauskas, a spokesperson for Lithuanian Airports.
Flight-tracking data showed the plane stopped on the northern side of the airport, where several service vehicles – including a fire engine – surrounded the aircraft. Passengers were being disembarked as of early afternoon.
Vilnius Airport closed its runway temporarily following the incident, with the closure expected to last at least until 17:00.
Deano 🇯🇲 retweeted
My analysis of #Hurricane #MELISSA's landfall in #Jamaica.
This is the product of a painstaking (& tedious) frame-by-frame analysis of radar from Pilon, Cuba; my surface observations; a couple of eyewitness accounts & pics; & my survey of the aftermath. A few points:
* My track is quite different than the NHC's operational track—puts landfall about 45 minutes later & brings center much further E after landfall—but it makes much better sense when compared with my data. (The timing of my minimum pressure was weirdly late in relation to NHC's operational track, whereas it makes perfect sense in relation to this radar-derived track.)
* Analyzed landfall is New Hope at 12:45 pm EST (1:45 pm EDT/1745Z).
* I thought it was useful to delineate between the eye (apparently ~10 n mi wide, with light rain & reduced winds) & the small clear area near the center, so both are indicated. My location was apparently just inside the eye but missed the "clear area" (where the lowest pressures most certainly occurred) by ~4 n mi.
* The hurricane's structure was dynamic & evolving as it came ashore. The dimensions & locations of structural features (eyewall, eye, clear area) are based on the 1740Z radar image, which was the closest frame to landfall. (I've included it for reference.)
OK, I am done with the meteorological analysis of this storm. Next... THE VIDEO. Comin' soon! (I know that is what everyone really wants to see.)
