May 7, 2008: So we have started the multiple, simultaneous travel days again! Some how between, Doyle, Bugg and Bruce we were able to get team members to Doha, Puerto Rico, Martinique, Atlanta and Brazil. Mason we are especially proud of you, never leave a club member behind at the airport!
May 9, 2008: So Coach what is this about our MVP athletes needing three races at their event to start getting into race shape? If that is the case please explain to me Markino's Olympic "A" qualifying 49.08 PR in the 400m H in Martinique in his second race of the year! Or Nesta's 10.10 PR (+1.4) today in Doha! Or Wiya's season opening 50.50 400m also in Doha! Ok so your point is made with Brigitte in her 3rd 100m H race with a 12.56 (+1.8) . As for the sprinters who won't start any speed work until June then why is Darrel .03 off his PR with a 10.02 today (equal to his 2007 best) or Michael's 10.08, .05 off his PR. In Doha Sherone proved that she is already ahead of that fabulous 2006 season when she ran 2nd in 11.12 (+1.4) on May 28, 2006. Today's 11.09 (+1.5) puts 2007 behind her. Kaliese get well soon, Ainsley nice first 100m, one step at a time.
Big up to the following: (1) www.wcsn.com my connection was great, (2) C&W blackberries the key to our communication and (3) friend of MVP Chelsea on becoming the leading Jamaican long jumper this year 6.69 (+1.8) almost there.
Tomorrow I will summarize where we are so far this year.
May 11, 2008: Happy Mother's Day to the mothers of our coaches, athletes and support staff. Ok so I did not make it here yesterday as I was busy at the National Stadium watching Francine Simpson (November 1, 1989) long jump 6.34m. Then I had to go out to the airport to meet the Doha team who found a creative way to get home. This year is all about the Olympic Trials and the Olympic Games (duh!!!). Where are we at this stage? The first summary:
Men's 100m: Of the 4 fastest Jamaican's this year MVP accounts for 3 of them. Asafa (10.04s -0.2m/s), Frater (10.08s +1.4m/s) and Nesta (10.10s +1.4m/s PR). So now you understand why weeks ago when I indicated that I expect MVP to have at least 3 members on Jamaica's Olympic Record 4X100m relay team. Special mention to MVP athletes Darrel Brown (10.02s +1.4m/s) T&T who I predict will win the T&T Olympic Trials 100m, and Andrew Hinds (10.20 +0.1m/s PR) the reigning Barbados 100m champion.
Men's 200m: I will only mention Nesta Carter's 200m PR 20.38 (+0.9m/s) for now. He is the fastest Jamaican so far this year at this distance and we have to make a determination as to how many events he will run at Jamaica's Olympic Trials.
Men's 400m Hurdles: Markino Buckley was subject of some degree of controversy last year having "only" run the World Championship "B" standard while placing 3rd at Jamaica's 2007 National Championships. Well he has now cleared that hurdle by running an Olympic "A" standard 49.08 PR. What is amazing about Markino is that at this rate his 400M hurdles PR will soon be faster than his 400m PR. He has the 3rd fastest time for a Jamaican this year in the 400m hurdles.
The ladies will be summarized tomorrow.
May 12, 2008: Before I share the ladies summary, we are pleased with Jesse Saunders double in Atlanta this weekend 10.45 (+0.7m/s) and 21.01 (+0.2m/s). Target 10.21.
Women's 100m: Those in the know realize that a 11.09 opener for Sherone is just what the doctor ordered for this phenomenal Jamaican woman. Don't tell anyone but Shelly-Ann Fraser's 11.39 (-0.7 m/s) in running the fastest time in the College Women's heats at the 2008 Penn Relays, before winning the finals, is our little secret.
Women's 100m Hurdles: So 12.56 (+1.8m/s) is now the 3rd fastest time in the world this year. More important however, is that Brigitte has recovered fully from last year's injury. It is also faster than her 12.71 (+1.7) last year May and only 5 ladies ran faster than 12.56 in 2007. For Brigitte who is the winner of the Commonwealth Gold Medal, Pan American Gold Medal, World Championships Silver Medal and Bronze Medal, and Olympic Games Finalist (Sydney 2000) the time is just right.
Women's 400m: Of the 10 fastest women in the world this year 3 are MVP members (Wiya 50.50, Kaliese 50.55 and Sherone 51.25), 2 have set PRs this year (Kaliese and Sherone) and 1 is a former Jamaican National Champion (Wiya 50.24). With the 3rd and 4th fastest times in the world per the IAAF list at this point we are aiming for at least two Olympic Finalists in this event.
200m and 400m hurdles tomorrow.
May 13, 2008: Don't believe the rumors. Our ladies have not run a lot of 200m races this year with our 400m ladies running 100m or 800m and the sprinters doing the 400m. This is one of Jamaica's strongest events with the two fastest times in the world as at today. Sherone has the best PR (22.00 -0.3 m/s and +1.3 m/s) of all active Jamaican athletes and the 2nd fastest 200m in the world for the past 8 years.
Women's 400m Hurdles: MVP had 2 members on Jamaica's women's 400m hurdles team at the 2007 IAAF World Championships (Kaliese and Melaine). Both have set PRs in the 400m this year (Kaliese 50.55, Melaine 51.61). Both have held the Jamaican Junior record in the 400m Hurdles (Kaliese 55.11, Melaine 55,62). Kaliese has made significant progress in the 400m flat and we have decided to have her focus on the 400m this year. Melaine is a proficient hurdler (100m hurdles PR 12.75 +0.2 m/s !!!!), and will focus on sub 54 in Beijing. Franno some people think we don't agree on this approach, I am not sure why but we are not worried.
May 14, 2008: I had an early non-track appearance on TVJ this morning (7:20am), so I had to wear something other than Nike, not faconnable as one of the fastest hurdlers in the world suggested when she saw me arrive at training. So I am standing in the sun with Franno and Bugg as they shout instructions at our athletes who respond amazingly well, when a Jamaican newspaper photographer appears saying he wants evidence of who is here training and who is not. So read your papers in the morning. :-). One MVP athlete he did not see is Andrew Hinds who is busy in Brazil winning everything who today ran a PR 10.16 into a (-0.3 m/s) wind.
May 15, 2008: As predicted the photo is in today's Jamaica Observer on page 31. There is something special about seeing over 40 of your athletes training in the rain in May. Call it determination, we will be ready!
May16, 2008: Still overcast here in Kingston. Today 3 members of last year's World Championship team depart for Brazil. 400m hurdlers Melaine and Markino are joined by World Championship Silver Medalist Shelly Ann Fraser. One simple requirement 3 PRs! Bon voyage team.
May 18, 2008: Yesterday in Atlanta Jesse did a triple 10.56 +1.7m/s (1st), 10.54 +0.3m/s (3rd) and 21.08 +0.0 (1st), Nyoka a double, 11.65, 11.64, and Andre Drummond a 1:49.14 for 4th. Today in Brazil Shelly won in 11.32 -0.4m/s, Melaine won in 55.48, Andrew Hinds narrowly missed maintaining his Brazilian win streak by 0.01 of a second in 10.33 -1.1m/s and Markino came 3rd in 50.42. Expect improvements from all later this week in Brazil.
May 19, 2008: The 100m PRs, in 1985, of the German ladies World Record 4X100M team were: 11.03, 11.19,11.14,10.81 = 44.17 WR = 41.37. The 100m PRs, in 1997, of the USA's ladies American Record 4X100M team were: 11.19, 10.76 , 10.96, 10.82 = 43.73 AR = 41.47. The 100m PRs in 2008 of the leading Jamaican ladies contending to be on Jamaica's 4X100M team are: 10.82, 10.85 ,10.95,10.96 = 43.58 New WR = very possible! Yes, in addition to being the President of the M.V.P. Track and Field Club, I am also a track and field analyst.
May 20, 2008: So I am sitting here in Kingston, Jamaica chatting with the world's fastest man and a group of friends. An hour later the 2nd fastest man in history is walking by with some friends and they join us. For the majority of the time that both groups were together the two fastest men in history were speaking and laughing with each other as a nice evening was had by all.
May 21, 2008: Further to a few phone calls from Sydney, this morning at training the MVP Track and Field Club was pleased to welcome some members of the Australian Cricket team. After exchanging secrets of what it takes to be # 1 in the world they took some photos and we wished each other well. Nesta now that you are in Brazil just do it.
May 22, 2008: Franno we need to speak. You told me that your instructions to the MVP athletes in Sao Paulo was just to win not run too fast, yet Shelly Ann Fraser goes and wins the 200m in a 22.83 PR into a negative wind (-0.3m/s). Nesta Carter on the other hand gave the rest of the field a head start, passed them and then eased up for a victory in 10.17 (+0.6m/s) followed by Andrew Hinds in 10.26. I wonder what will happen in the last Brazilian meet this Sunday. We will see ;-).
May 25, 2008: I was promised four PRs on May 16, 2008 by three athletes running in two track meets in one country Brazil. Shelly Ann delivered her two (22.83-0.3 m/s on Thursday and 11.28 +0.6m/s today), Melaine came within .04 of a second of her 54.14 PR, running 54.18 thereby becoming the fastest Jamaican at that event this year and the second fastest in the world in winning her race. Considering her reaction time of 0.408 (or lack of reaction) this clearly was a sub 54 effort. Markino came even closer missing his PR by a scant .03 of a second, running 49.11 in quite a clash of Jamaicans. Nesta again giving the field a head start, runs past everyone for victory in 10.19 +0.6m/s, Andrew ran 10.48. Good enough team, a couple more races and then the Olympic Trials.
May 27, 2008: In MVP "Track don't change we, we are track changers, and if you dis we a danger." Listen out for the soon to be released...........
May 29, 2008: This morning Franno, Gavin, Frater, Nesta, Brigitte and Sherone departed for Berlin. June 1, 2008 marks the start of the Caribbean hurricane season and the start of the European Golden League season. Blow them away team, or put another way an MVP victory in each race that we enter.
May 31, 2008: Congrats to Germaine Mason on his SB 2.28 in the high jump which included 3 good shots at 2.31 here at the national stadium in Kingston, Jamaica.
June 1, 2008: The Manchester link in MVP is alive and well, as both Nesta Carter and Sherone Simpson won their respective races at the Berlin Golden League meeting today (has that ever happened from the same high school at the Golden League at the same meet?). Sherone's 22.43 SB +0.7 is right on time coming out of lane 7 reminds us of her many Golden League victories in 2006. Nesta's PR 10.08 +0.8 m/s for his first ever Golden League win with such a magnificent start is a sign of things to come, clearly the Brazilian experience was worth it. Brigitte we saw what happened at the first hurdle, you will get right. Frater, we see the improvements in training you will get it in the race soon. Come home team get ready for one more race before the Olympic Trials.
June 2, 2008: Nesta now you see what happens when you win a Golden League 100m race, you get quoted in the international media. I find your prediction for the Beijing Olympics quite interesting, a clean sweep for Jamaica in the men's 100m. Time will reveal. Sherone now is one of only 3 women in the world to have bettered the Beijing Olympic "A" standard so far this year in the 100m, 200m, and 400m. (That is in performances since January 2008).
June 3, 2008: Ok so this morning we are at the East Field of the National Stadium, training is going well, the MVP team members that returned to Jamaica late last night from the Golden League in Berlin, Germany are here bright and early proving how dedicated they are to the goal. My favourite view this morning was the two coaches of the two fastest men in history laughing and chatting together. Of course no one else was privy to their conversation but I suspect it had something to do with the fact that we all get along very well yet there are those outside who wish it was not so.
June 5, 2008: Bon voyage to the MVP team of Franno, Paul, Aundre, Asafa, Frater, Germaine Mason, Darrel, Gavin, Shericka, Sherone and Brigitte as they head to the Pre classic in Oregon. For clarity our Golden League contenders are more focused on the Olympics this year. In a non- Championship year, or with a more accommodating schedule then the jackpot would be highlighted. Having his first race back a week before the Jamaican Olympic Trials allows us to make any adjustments necessary before our qualifying meet. Yes that is the purpose of the Olympic Trials, to qualify for the Olympic Games not to clash. Ok not to clash in the men's 100m ;-).
June 8, 2008: With Jamaica's 3 day Prep School Track and Field Championship successfully concluded yesterday (I was Competition Director), I had time to sit and watch the MVP athletes at the Pre Classic today, and oh what a difference a year makes. Darrel defended his Pre title by improving on last year's 10.42 (-2.1m /s) with a 10.07 win into a (-0,5m/s), despite an ultra conservative start. Shericka's super fast 2nd half of her race resulted in 50.34 a big improvement over last year's Pre performance of 51.99. Sherone's 10.99 (+1.3 m/s) USA PR is her first ever sub 11 outside of Europe and Jamaica. Sherone has never run so fast this early in the year, Franno you win again. Come home team, next stop Olympic Trials.
June 11, 2008: Melaine glad to know that you are safely in Ostrava, now keep your sub 54 promise. On this side Franno is getting the team ready and they are responding well. My appearance at TVJ and then a quick visit to Fame FM in the same morning was fine, although most of the questions revolved around Asafa, little do they know that there will be many pleasant MVP surprises at the Olympic Trials.
June 17, 2008: Onward MVP soldiers, running as to war, with the coaching of Franno going on before. Andrew Hinds and Wilan Louis safe trip to Barbados your MVP support staff will arrive on Thursday in time for your Olympic Trials this weekend. Darrel Brown your MVP support staff as well as your MVP team mate will join you in Trinidad on Wednesday also in time for your National Championship. Today after training we will turn our MVP team members into "movie" stars.
June 18, 2008: Well Paul Francis, Asafa and I are about to head to the airport here in Kingston on our way to Trinidad where Asafa will run the 100m on Saturday. Although I will have my blackberry in Trinidad I won't take my laptop and so will not update this MVP site until we get home on Sunday. All the MVP "movie" stars are now well hydrated and we are looking forward to great performances starting this weekend in Barbados and Trinidad.
June 22, 2008: I start with a big thank you to our Trinidadian and Barbadian hosts. The NAAA of Trinidad & Tobago and the AAA of Barbados both showed members of the MVP Track and Field Club the kind of respect that is really appreciated. Congrats to Andrew Hinds on defending his 100m title at the Bajan Olympic Trials in a Championship record 10.18 +0.9 m/s. Wilan Louis is the 2008 400m National Champion for Barbados in a time of 46.95. In Trinidad it was quite an up and down weekend. Paul Francis did a fabulous presentation, Franno you would have been proud of your little brother. Asafa waited a little too long in the blocks but once he got going sub 10 was clear resulting in a 9.96 +0.4m/s win in the rain (Trinidad had some serious rain on Friday and Saturday). Then came the fall. Darrel was ready. Moving out of his drive phase and into the lead he inexplicably lost his balance, fell and did not complete the race. Thankfully the only injury is to his pride. Darrel you know and we know that, given the opportunity, you will be an Olympic finalist in the 100m at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
June 27, 2008: The Jamaican National Championships started today and already some of the MVP Track Club secrets have been revealed. So Shelly Ann Frazer is now the 9th fastest Jamaican in history with her 11.02 +0.6 m/s performance in the heats! The ease with which she ran it was a little revealing, although I did tell all the listeners on Hitz 92 FM (where I am providing track and field analysis throughout the meet) that she would lead for most of the race. What is also amazing about her time is the names of some of the Jamaican ladies who have never run as fast as Shelly Ann has now run. So now we realize that Asafa is actually race sharp. He followed instructions, which were not about speed, but the result of proper execution is 9.90 +1.0. If the semis are drawn per IAAF rules Asafa will have the nice semifinal whereas Frater and Nesta will be together in the competitive 3rd semifinal. We are pleased to see that 10 of the semifinalists in the men's 100m are from the MVP Track and Field Club. Kaliese and Shericka won there 400m heats comfortably, although sub 51 by Shericka is more of an indication of anticipation of her upcoming new pr. Markino a composed 49.21 victory in your third Olympic A standard race. Drummond and Ricardo are both through to the finals of the 800m. Congrats to the first 2008 MVP National Champion Aundrae Clarke for winning the men's javelin 61.58m Junior athlete Geneva came second in the women's discus. Well done to friends of MVP Julian in winning the men's triple jump and Chelsea in winning the women's long jump. (something about that 5th jump that you just have to love). Well I need to rest my eyes now so that I can watch the fireworks tomorrow.
June 28, 2008: This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. The # of MVP Track Club members on the 2008 Olympic Team is growing fast. First up was Melaine, defending her national championship in the 400M hurdles, with 54.58. We were also pleased to see 19 year old Judith Riley back below 60 seconds at 59.66. Then that brave run by Markino in what is probably the most competitive race on the men's side of the championships, the 400m hurdles. His near PR 49.14 ensures his place on the team. Then the fireworks, Wolmerian Shelly Ann Frazer who for years received support from Jeanne Coke (who passed this year) delivered big time and Shelly we know Jeanne is smiling down from heaven right now on your 10.85 +0.7 PR making you the 5th fastest Jamaican in history. Sherone your second fastest race of your life 10.87 +0.7 is a memorable one, we know you will go faster. 50% of the men who were in the 100m final are MVP athletes so it is no surprise that we earned two of the three available spots. Asafa's 36th sub 10 clocking, 9.97 -0.1 m/s closely followed by Frater's near PR 10.04 -0.1 achieves our goal of qualifying for the Beijing Olympics. Nesta if the cramping stops you will get your spot in the 200m tomorrow, congrats on your 10.04 +1.7 m/s PR in the semis, where you proved that you are the best person to start Jamaica's 4X100m. So 6 members on the team so far, with Shericka (50.69) and Kaliese (51.15) both in the 400m final tomorrow, plus the men's and women's 200m and the 100m hurdles all on the final day we are looking for much much more. Special mention must be made of one of our newest members Winston Barnes, who PRed twice 10.30 and then 10.21 +1.7m/s in his semi to miss the final by .01 of a second. Also Rayan Lawrence who won the men's 1500m in a PR 3:56.96. First 3 past the post is not open for debate, read the rules!!!
June 29, 2008: Today was a statement day for Brigitte and she spoke eloquently with a 12.50 +0.1 m/s victory in the 100m hurdles to qualify for her 3rd Olympic Games. Other MVP Track Club highlights on this the final day of the National Championships include a nice PR by RIcardo Cunningham for second in the 800m, 1:48.94 and Raymond Brown's second in the Shot Putt 16.90m. Shericka you had a great series of 3 back to back 50 point races (50.91, 50.69, 50.33 SB) you are so ready for sub 50. Kaliese we know how brave you were to battle back from injury and are proud of your effort. Nesta to bounce back from cramps that stopped you the day before in the 100m finals to run a PR 20.31 +1.7 m/s in the 200m is commendable (10th fastest Jamaican over 200m in history). You are the 3rd fastest Jamaican at 100m this year, one of the best starters in the world, an alternate for the 200m at the 2008 Olympics, Jamaica's best 4X100m team includes you. We wait to see if the selectors do what is best for Jamaica. Shelly Ann Fraser, our little secret is now out big time. PR in the heats 22.76 into a negative wind -2.5m/s and then 22.15 +1.1 for 4th in the finals is amazing. You are now the 7th fastest lady in Jamaica's history at 200m!!!! Sherone you did it, you said you would be doubling at your second Olympics and you are. Your second fastest time ever 22.11 +1.1m/s being your 5th race in 3 days is nice. Training starts again on Monday, June 30th and we will watch team selection carefully to see if there is an anti-MVP bias or not.
July 1, 2008: Congratulations to the 10 MVP athletes selected for the 2008 Jamaican Olympic Team. Shelly Ann Fraser (1st timer), Sherone Simpson (2nd time), Brigitte Foster Hylton (3rd time), Shericka Williams (1st time), Melaine Walker (1st time), Asafa Powell (2nd time), Michael Frater (2nd time), NESTA CARTER (1st time), Andre Wellington (1st time), and Markino Buckley (1st time). Congrats also to our sole selectee to the CAC Games (I have to make some phone calls before I release his name). Congrats also to our 8 MVP athletes selected to represent Jamaica at the NACAC under 23 Championship (not all will be able to attend for various reasons). I will wait until the names are released formally to post them here. Thanks to NCB for the wonderful farewell function this evening.
July 2, 2008: A big travel date for the MVP Track and Field Club as Darrel, Trini and Paul left Kingston for Cali, Colombia, where they will meet Wilan who left Barbados for the CAC Championships. Franno and the team of Andrew (Bajan) Hinds, Ainsley, Melaine, Gavin, Wato, Asafa, Frater, Nesta, Markino, Brigitte, Wellington, Anneisha, Sherone, Shericka, Shelly Ann, Kaliese, Harley, and Bugg, left Kingston for Lignano, Italy. Shelly (not Shelly Ann) and Linval (throws coach) continue to prepare our NACAC under 23 selectees for Mexico. (Not sure why the team has not yet been announced publicly). Our lone Jamaican CAC selectee will not be able to make it to Cali, Colombia after all (no hard feelings but better planning is required for a meet that starts days after our trials end, and also requires greater co-ordination).
July 4, 2008: Congratulations to MVP Track and Field Club member Darrel Brown on winning the 100m at the CAC Championships in Cali, Colombia today in 10.12 +0.6m/s. Coach Paul Francis although we questioned your round management, you proved to be right on the money, well done. Additionally, Darrel's participation in the 100m at the 2008 Olympic Games is confirmed. The European based MVP team members have arrived safe and sound (their words) in Lignano, Italy. The MVP members selected to represent Jamaica at the NACAC under-23 continue to train well here in Jamaica.
July 6, 2008: Coach Christopher Harley accompanies Anneisha, Andre and Ainsley to a track meet in Sweden. All the best team. Coach Paul Francis and 2008 CAC 100m Champion Darrel Brown start packing in Cali, Colombia so as to travel to Lignano, Italy and join the rest of the MVP team.
July 9, 2008: MVP Track and Field Club movements; Shericka, Asafa, Brigitte, Sherone, Nesta, Frater, Melaine, Markino, Kaliese, Bugg, Wato, Paul Francis and Franno are now in Rome after a good training session in Lignano this morning. Maureen is now in Lignano (welcome for the first time) . Doyle is on his way to Rome. AInsley, Annie, Andre and Coach Harley are returning to Lignano. Darrel and his 2008 CAC 100m Gold medal are now in Europe as well as Germaine Mason. Shelly Ann Fraser is so so very ready.
July 11, 2008: MVP Track and Field Club ladies dominate the Golden League hurdles in Rome. Franno maybe I did not understand what you were explaining to me about our athletes running slower during July than in June at the Olympic Trials or at the Olympics in August, but it looks like some of our athletes are out to prove you wrong. Brigitte's golden run of 12.60 +0.4m/s proves her resilience. Melaine's last 50 metres leading to her 54.36 victory shows that she is listening to you and the sub 54 is on its way. So Shericka runs her 6th 50 point race in her last 6 outings (50.83). I wonder how many people know that for all of 2007 she only broke 51 seconds 3 times. Kaliese. you are moving in the right direction again as the fitness returns and the pain subsides you will be fine. Sherone we know that you respond to the training and will be at your fastest in August, we are not worried about July as we train through this month. The gentlemen of MVP, Asafa you did the right thing, Maureen is at the base waiting. Nesta (aka the 3rd fastest Jamaican this year) you proved that you can repeat with a 10.06 +0.5m/s victory in your heat followed an hour and 20 minutes later with a 10.05 +0.2 m/s (2nd slowest reaction time .193, understandable after 2 false starts). Your start is one of your strengths, use it. Frater after winning your heat 10.07 +0.4 m/s, you then give everyone a head start with the slowest reaction time of .207, leading to your 10.12 result. Markino yes that was a preview of the Olympic finals, quite a way to start your first ever Golden League race, the 49.51 result is not the focus, keep working and the 48 will be yours at the right time. As the President of this club, I must confess that I am proud to have 9 athletes line up in one Golden League meet. Yes nine from one club, that is not a typo, I wonder if that has ever been done by another club. Note well that the 3rd fastest woman in the world for 2008 who is also an MVP athlete did not even enter this meet as the Golden Gala did not have a 100m race for the ladies.
July 13, 2008: MVP athletes competing today; Andrew Hinds in Athens (100m), Germaine Mason in England for the High Jump and Ainsley, Andre, Annie and Shelly Ann running the 100m in our training camp (if the rain ever stops). I will post the results as fast as Bugg can blackberry them to me. Congratulations to Germaine Mason on being selected to represent the United Kingdom at the Beijing Olympics following on his 2nd place 2.27m jump. Olympian Andrew Hinds won his heat of the 100m at the Athens Grand Prix in 10.27 -0.3m/s. While in Lignano Olympian Ainsley Waugh won the sprint double 10.49 -1.3 m/s, 20.60 +3.3 m/s, followed by Olympian Andre Wellington 10.55 -1.3 m/s, 21.02 +3.3 m/s. Olympian Shelly Ann Fraser won the 100m in 11.31 + 1.2 m/s (is this the new walking world record?), followed in 2nd place by Annie 11.60 + 1.2 m/s.
July 14, 2008: We wish the following five MVP Track and Field Club athletes well as they will be waking up extra early tomorrow morning to get to the airport on their way to represent Jamaica at the NACAC under 23 Championships in Mexico; Judith Riley (400m hurdles), Christine Day (400m), Andre Drummond (800m), Raymond Brown (Shot Putt) and Jesse Saunders (100m). Coach Shelly Osbourne has kept them on their toes (literally) since the National Championships. Remember when you represent MVP you are representing Jamaica land we love! Make us all proud (God, family, country, friends, Club).
July 16, 2008: Mason nice SB in Liege of 2.30m. Doyle said that you had two great shots at 2.34m. At this rate you will be top 8 in Beijing. Get your PB and you will be on the podium!
July 20, 2008: The MVP Track and Field Club members were graciously greeted by our Swedish hosts. Franno, Paul Francis, Paul Doyle, Aundre Edwards, Asafa, Frater, Nesta, Sherone, Kaliese, Brigitte, Shericka, Shelly Ann, Maureen and Wato are now comfortably in the hotel. Training is early on Monday morning and then racing on Tuesday.
July 21, 2008: Congrats to the MVP Track and Field Club athletes, who landed safely in Jamaica today, on their performances in Mexico at the NACAC under 23 championships. Christine Day with a fabulous first leg on the 4x400 m relay now has a Gold medal, this in her first time EVER representing Jamaica at any level (youth, junior or senior). Raymond Brown promised a medal and he delivered with a bronze medal in the Shot Putt with 16.95m (twice), Jamaica's national junior record holder in the Shot is making the transition to the senior level. Andre Drummond with 1:50.67, missed the bronze medal by 0.16 of a second, placing 4th in the 800m. Jesse Saunders achieved a PR 10.39 +0.3 m/s and ran the anchor leg on the 4th place 4x100m. So Franno looks like you are right our sprinters will be PRing at the championships. the Olympics will be great!
July 22, 2008: i saw it clearly, did you? Three of the top four finishers in the men's 100m at the Stockholm Super Grand Prix are members of the MVP Track and Field Club! Asafa Powell's SB 9.88 +0.4 m/s (Safa stop watching the video monitor when you are racing), was impressively followed by the 4th fastest man in Jamaica's history, Nesta Carter's PR 9.98 +1.0 m/s
and Michael Frater's near PR 10.04 + 1.0 m/s (run through the line and you are sub 10). Ladies we know that you will ALL be ready for Beijing. Remember the same coach who prepared you to run 10.85, 10.87, 12.50 and 50.33 at the 2008 Olympic Trials, is the same coach who will prepare you to run even faster at the 2008 Olympic Games. Tomorrow morning I will share right here all the London Super Grand Prix news including what race Darrel Brown will be running there!
July 23, 2008: So while taking my daily jog, I am thinking about the amount of MVP Track and Field Club members who will be participating at the upcoming London Super Grand Prix to be held at Crystal Palace and decide that I have got to be there. Here is the list and tell me if you too would want to be there in person as opposed to watching on the TV or internet and relying on blackberry communication from my team. Asafa, Nesta, Darrel and Frater in the 100m would be worth it (3 have individual World Championship 100m medals and Nesta has a World Championship relay silver medal). However, Trinidad wants Darrel to run the 4X100m so he may do just the relay. Shelly Ann and Sherone in the women's 100m (August 16 and 17 is what matters nothing else. You did what you had to do in the 3 rounds in Kingston, June 27 and 28). Brigitte and Melaine, both with the 3rd fastest times in the world in their respective hurdle events 100m and 400m. Brigitte you have raced more this year than most of your MVP colleagues so maybe you should rest this weekend. Markino in the 400m hurdles, 48 beckons. Germaine Mason you have been jumping higher each meet, do it again as you prepare for your first Olympics. Shericka let us see if we can get you some speed work, while Kaliese perhaps another 400m race for you. Well London here I come.
July 28, 2008: I am here in Monaco with Shelly Ann, Brigitte, Sherone, Melaine, Nesta, Darrel, Asafa, Bugg, Doyle, Wato and Franno. Internet access has been a challenge and updating this MVP Track and Field Club website via my BlackBerry would be even harder. So London was nice, if you are reading this website you must know the results by now. Therefore I will share with you that my athletes made me very proud and I may have to attend more of their meets in person because of the number of victories (Asafa, Melaine and Sherone) the SB (Germaine Mason) and the PB (Frater), the sub 11 despite her slowest reaction time (.211) of the year (Shelly Ann), the 12.67 from Brigitte despite the hurdle 7 incident in Stockholm a few days earlier, Darrel running the lead leg of his country's national record 4X100m team, Wellington running a good lead off for Jamaica's team, Nesta's 10.04 after a heat into a negative wind, but the MVP athlete that was happiest that I was at the meet was Markino Buckley. You see it helps to have an IAAF certified official as the President of your club when you get disqualified in the 400m hurdles. One who travels with his IAAF rule book and is able to successfully challenge a DQ. As for tomorrow's races here in Monaco, (which is simply breathtakingly beautiful) I am amazed at how hard Franno pushes our athletes the day before a competition, Bugg, Wato and I were there this morning with them at the Stade Louis II. Franno reminded us that what matters is August 15 - 24, 2008, and that is when our MVP athletes will be at their best!!!!!!!! This is actually my second time in Monaco, the first being in 2003 when I won an IAAF competition (as a track and field analyst/fan not President of MVP :).
August 8, 2008: I am happily home in Jamaica. Monaco was a thrill with the MVP Track and Field Club athletes proving their "competitive fitness" in the last Super Grand Prix meet prior to the Beijing Olympics. I have not updated this website for 10 days as I spent many of those managing fires in Tianjing, Beijing and Hong Kong. Today I started my role as an Olympic analyst with Television Jamaica and the games have now been officially opened.
August 9: 2008: Well in Tianjin it is actually August 10 and my MVP Track and Field team is at training as I type. They go to Beijing tomorrow. I hear that the men's 4x100m relay may be run the way I think is best (based on practice), time will reveal.
August 11, 2008: There are now 18 members of the MVP Track and Field Club in Beijing and all I am hearing are the Positive Vibrations! A friend of MVP left Jamaica today for Beijing and she is bringing even more positive vibrations with her. We enter they Beijing Olympics with the following statistics on the men's side (only counting expected Olympic participants per event): 100m: 3rd, 8th and 11th fastest for 2008, 400m hurdles: 14th fastest for 2008, High Jump: 7th highest in 2008. On the ladies side: 100m 4th and 5th fastest for 2008, 200m: 3rd fastest for 2008, 400m: 9th fastest for 2008, 100m hurdles: 2nd fastest for 2008, 400m hurdles: fastest in the world for 2008.
August 13, 2008: The positive vibes coming through to my blackberry messenger and email from the MVP Track and Field Club members in Beijing are wonderful. This even with the lane draws for the men's 100m placing club members Michael Frater and Darrel Brown both in heat 4, (Frater lane 3, Darrel lane 6). Before they run Asafa will be in heat 2, lane 4. Andrew Hinds will be in heat 3, lane 6. First 3 per heat automatically qualify. Markino in the 400m hurdles will be in heat 3, lane 5. Run well team, run well.
August 14, 2008: In Jamaica that is, the 4 MVP Track and Field Club athletes entered in the men's 100m at the Beijing Olympics are through to the quarterfinals. Frater (10.15, +0.2), Asafa (10.16, 0.0), Darrel (10.22, +0.2) looked comfortable. Andrew (10.35, 0.0) might find the top 3 a challenge in his quarterfinal race in 6 hours time. Oh, it was just gas, he is fine. Shelly Ann runs in heat 6 of 10 (lane 2) and Sherone runs in heat 9 of 10 (lane 9), in the 100m.
August 15, 2008: Big run Markino a 48.65 PR in the first round of the Olympic Games is wonderful, making you the fastest qualifier. Now you are the 6th fastest man at the Olympic Games based on 2008 performances!!! The other MVP Track and Field Club members had mixed results. Asafa (10.02, -0.1) and Frater (10.09, -0.1) are so very ready, excellent round management. Darrel we have been protecting that leg and racing you sparingly with the hope of an Olympic final burst but it did not hold up. Andrew you needed to PR to get to the semis. The IAAF rule for those who are interested is 166.2 which explains why Asafa was moved to semifinal 2.
August 16, 2008: Congratulations to the MVP Track and Field Club members who made it to the Olympic Finals: Michael Frater with his first sub 10 achieved after 4 rounds at the Olympics (9.97 0.0m/s), Asafa you have our full support (9.95 0.0m/s) as the MVP Track Club consists of true friends not fair weather friends. Markino another PR in the 400m hurdles semi final (48.50) looking effortless, you are now an Olympic Games finalist. You have a one day break come back stronger on Monday. Sherone 11.02 (+0.1) and Shelly Ann 11.06 (+0.1) with the 2nd and 3rd fastest times in the quarterfinals will meet in semifinal 1 of the 100m tomorrow, you CAN do it! Shericka 50.57 the 2nd fastest time in the 400m heats, you too look great. Our female hurdlers start tomorrow Brigitte (100m) and Melaine (400m).
August 17, 2008: God is truly amazing. Congratulations to my fellow co-founders of the MVP Track and FIeld Club, Stephen "Franno" Francis, Paul Francis and David Noel (the patriarch) on the vision that we had at Wolmer's Boys' School in September 1999 to form a Jamaican athletics club in Jamaica to be coached by Jamaicans and managed by Jamaicans! We were told we would not succeed. Despite what we considered great successes (numerous Jamaican national records, World Championship medals, Olympic relay Gold, the world records, the Commonwealth gold medals, Pan Am gold medals), we were told that is still not enough as we have never produced an individual Olympic Gold Medalist. Today, Shelly Ann Fraser ran the 2nd fastest time in Olympic history to become the 2008 Olympic Gold medalist in the 100m 10.78 0.0m/s!!! Completing the MVP sweep, Sherone Simpson ran 10.98 0.0m/s for the Silver medal. Ladies that meeting after training in Monaco on Monday, July 28, 2008 what Franno and I told you would happen, has come to pass. Shelly Ann and Sherone we all sat together in my hotel room and we told you that you both are unbeatable, if only you would believe! Your team mates who inspired you today include Germaine Mason 2.29 with no misses in high jump qualifying. Shericka Williams qualifying automatically for the finals of the 400m with a SB 50.28. Brigitte Foster Hylton 12.69 (+0.4m/s) for 1st in your opening rounding heat. Melaine Walker 54.46 for the fastest time in qualifying. To my MVP support team in Beijing who still have not received any form of Olympic accreditation and therefore are unable to access the MVP athletes your very presence there is having a positive impact. We have more work to do team, Age Quod Agis your President Bruce James.
August 18, 2008: Going into the Television Jamaica studio for a 5:30 am start has its pros and cons. The primary pro is that I get to see all the live feeds of the Olympics without any commercial interruption and that makes it worth it especially when my MVP Track and Field Club athletes perform so well. Today, Shelly Ann and Sherone received their Gold and Silver medals respectively and our Jamaican national anthem was played in Beijing (thank you Coach Francis). Brigitte with 12.76 +0.2 m/s is now in her 2nd Olympic 100m hurdles final. Melaine taking it one step at a time qualified for her first Olympic final with 54.20. Markino we are very proud of you with your pre Olympic PR of 48.60 in the Olympic final. Sherone 22.94 -0.4m/s on track for her individual Olympic double. Congrats to the following friends of the MVP Track and Field Club, Yelena on breaking her world record in the Pole Vault and Chelsea on qualifying for the finals in the Long Jump her at the Olympics.
August 19, 2008: How sweet it is! The MVP Track and Field Club medal haul at the Beijing Olympics doubled to 4 on the heart of Shericka "Wiya" Williams and the soaring of Wolmerian Germaine Mason. Wiya's PR 49.69 leading her to the Olympic Silver medal in the 400m with the finishing kick of a champion. She is now the 4th fastest Jamaican in history. Paul Francis said you would win but we are still so very proud of you. Germaine on July 16, 2008 I predicted this result (see above). You jumped your PR 2.34 and you got up on that podium to receive your Olympic Silver medal. Franno you are a master strategist, telling Shericka who to watch and when to kick, having Mason move to a SB 2.32M after a miss at 2,29M resulted in their fabulous results. Brigitte 2/100 of a second away from an Olympic Silver medal is a heartbreaker, we are with you all the way. Sherone with a 22.60 0.0m/s 200m quarterfinal you go to the semifinals with the fastest qualifying time. Melaine carpe diem.
August 20, 2008: As good as it gets. MVP Track and FIeld Club hails our club member Melaine Walker the Olympic Champion, Olympic Gold Medalist and Olympic Record Holder in the 400m hurdles. Melaine's 52.64 Jamaican National Record makes her the 4th fastest woman in history. Franno you have truly inspired these athletes. Sherone 22.50 -0.2 m/s qualified comfortably for tomorrow's final. Go for it! The relays start tomorrow, nice lane draws. At this stage MVP has accounted for 33.3% of the British track and field 2008 Olympics medals and 57% of Jamaica's Olympic medals for 2008.
August 21, 2008: Sherone was the only MVP Track and Field Club member to participate in an individual event at the Olympics today. Her 22.36 +0.6 m/s was her 8th race at these Olympics and made her the 9th MVP Track and Field Club member to participate in an individual FINAL at the Beijing Olympics. You are reading this so you know that 75% of Jamaica's men's 4X100m team consists of MVP Track Club members as does 50% of Jamaica's women's 4X100m. Nesta Carter made his Olympic debut today in the 4x100m. Safa it was great to see you smile again.
August 22, 2008: Olympic Record, World Record, Olympic Gold medal, the MVP Track Club members Nesta Carter, Michael Frater and Asafa Powell joined the world record holder in the 100m to run an amazing 37.10 (average 9.275 seconds per leg) today in Beijing. Shelly Ann and Sherone, we live to compete another day. Paul Francis I agree with you, what is sad is that they know the truth as well but won't do the right thing. Shericka what a mature anchor leg in the 4X4 heats, you clearly know that the best lanes in the final are allocated to first and second place in the heats. Melaine is available but we will not force anyone out.
August 23, 2008: Shericka Williams was the lone MVP Track and Field Club member racing today and she earned her 2nd Olympic medal, a bronze, as a member of Jamaica's 4X400m team. She ran the first leg and handed off 2nd running 50.88. So here is the MVP 2008 Olympic summary. Of our 12 athletes who participated all made it out of the first round, 10 of our athletes made it to finals, 8 of our athletes earned Olympic medals. 5 MVP athletes earned Gold medals, 3 MVP athletes earned Silver medals, 1 MVP athlete earned a bronze medal. One MVP athlete earned two Olympic medals. 4 MVP athletes broke Olympic records and 3 of those 4 broke a world record. The 2 MVP athletes who qualified for finals but did not earn a medal, one missed a silver medal by 2/100 of a second, the other set 2 PRs to get to the final despite dealing with groin pain. Six of our athletes set PRs at the Olympics. MVP had finalists in a spread of ELEVEN events and for both genders; 100m (men and women), 200m (women), 400m (women), 100m hurdles (women), 400m hurdles (men and women), high jump (men), 4x100m (men and women) and 4x400m (women). Even with these spectacular results we expected more but between injuries, an incomplete baton change and some of our support staff not ever being accredited for the Olympics we earned the following 7 Olympic medals, 3 Gold, 3 Silver and 1 Bronze (yes we would have been 6th on the Olympic medal table for track and field). We thank God for his many blessings, in particular for our big coach Stephen "Franno" Francis.
August 25, 2008: The MVP Track and FIeld Club Olympic members are now at our European base in Lignano, Italy. Up next Zurich and Gateshead.
August 27, 2008: On the road again. Franno, leads a team of double Olympic finalist Brigitte Foster Hylton, Olympic Gold medalist Michael Frater, double Olympic medalist Shericka Williams and Olympic Finalist Markino Buckley. These MVP Track and Field Club athletes are ably supported by Wato and Bugg. They left Lignano today for Zurich.
August 31, 2008: First here in Jamaica we have survived what was Tropical Storm Gustav although it affected my updating the MVP website. Franno, I hear you about post Olympic fatigue and injury management and look forward positively to Stuttgart. We must still congratulate our MVP Track and Field Club winners today in Gateshead on a rain soaked track, Asafa 9.87 +0.7 m/s, in his second fastest race of 2008. Melaine's careful (rain and hurdling do not mix well) 54.51 victory. Germaine amazingly jumped 2.27m also to win on a wet run up. Now get the team safely to Lausanne. Also in the winner's column today is Frater who ran in Padua into a -1.5m/s wind, winning 10.28.
September 2, 2008: Beautiful day for MVP Track and Field Club in Lausanne. Asafa we continue to search for the solution and in the mean time you continue to run faster than ever. 9.72 +0.2 m/s is amazing. Nesta your second sub 10 to match your PR out of lane 8 is nice and to imagine someone didn't want you to run at the Olympics. Frater 10.04 for your 3rd race in 5 days shows your improving strength. Shelly Ann you said all you want to do is win and 11.03 +0.2m/s meant winning today. Shericka an unchallenged win at 50.47 is always welcome after your 200m 22.80 SB in Gateshead on Sunday. Melaine I agree with your approach of winning each of your races by at least 1 second. Despite coming 2nd with 2.32 metres, Germaine we are very proud of your attempts at a PR 2.35. Brussels is next up look out for the PR.
September 5, 2008: The MVP Track and Field Club ladies got a well deserved rest today in Brussels, not so for the Jamaican based ....... The big three Jamaican MVP male sprinters running into a hurricane (-1.3 m/s) on a wet track, with a cool Brussels evening as the backdrop, impressed with 9.83 (Safa), 10.07(Nesta) and 10.08 (Frater). Never in history has anyone run faster than 9.97 into a negative wind of -1.3 m/s or more. It took two world record holders to do it today. Markino your goal is Stuttgart and your 49.23 effort today strengthened your position. We fly to Reiti next. Big up to our Patriotic, Jamaican loving coach.
September 7, 2008: Let me begin in Slovakia where a minus 3.4 m/s wind restricted Nesta to a 10.27 victory. He was joined on the victory podium by MVP Track and Field Club members Markino 49.74 and the come back kid Kaliese 51.24 (she may PR again this year). Germaine earned 2nd place with 2.30m. In Reiti the MVP award for guts goes to Olympic Champion, Olympic Record holder and one of the few athletes in the world this year not to lose a race, Melaine Walker. To hit the 7th hurdle that hard and recover well enough to win (55.01) and maintain your unbeaten streak was inspirational. Asafa makes history again! No one else has ever run as fast as 9.77 and 9.82 with only 60 minutes between races (+0.9 and +1.4 m/s respectively). Seven races below 9.79 is super running. Michael each race is getting better with your 2nd sub 10 performance 9.98 after constant racing since Beijing. Ainsley "Family" Waugh, if only they knew what you have been through for the past year a PR 10.14 TWICE (+0.9 and +1.4 m/s) in an hour, well done to our 2004 Olympian (we will not forget). Shericka "Wiya" Williams nice victory in a 22.50 +0.8 PR, so you have PRed in both the 200m and 400m this year. Shelly Ann, keep looking to the sky and winning, you are almost home, we can now count the days after your 11.06 0.0m/s victory. Travel safely my dear they will be surprised to see you there. Zagreb, Riga and Roverto are up next.
September 9, 2008: Two MVP Track and Field Club members performed in Zagreb today. Nesta continued to prove that he really is the best of the rest with another win into a negative wind 10.23 (-0.9), AInsley did double duty 10.41 and 20.77 (-0.4). Nice radio interview on Hitz 92 Franno. I guess you want to wait until you get to Jamaica to drop the big news, since you tactfully avoided it during the interview. I spent a nice evening up at Utech the vibe is very positive and the athletes are anxiously awaiting the return of the MVP conquering heroes and heroines.
September 10, 2008: In my capacity as the President of the MVP Track and Field Club, I have a responsibility to keep my athletes and coaches happy. So when the Olympic Record holder says that she would like me to come to Stuttgart, and 100m hurdles Jamaican National Record holder says she would like me to come to Stuttgart, and the fastest woman in the world says she would like me to come to Stuttgart, and the anchor leg runner of the Olympic Gold medal winning and world record setting 4X100m team says he would like me to come to Stuttgart and Poland, and the most intelligent coach in the world says we need to discuss busine$$in Stuttgart, then the least I can do is go the World Athletics Finals in Stuttgart. So I am on my way. I will do my best to keep you all updated on what is happening on the inside of the MVP world while there but if not once I get back HOME (hint, hint) I will bring you up to date.
September 15, 2008: Official statement from the President and Executive Members (Stephen Francis, Paul Francis and David Noel snr.) of the M.V.P. Track and Field Club; In our capacity as the founders and executive members of the M.V.P. Track and Field Club we are constantly pursuing and implementing new and innovative strategies in an effort to improve our club and thereby bring value to our members including, athletes, staff and supporters. To remove any doubts that may recently have been created, we hereby confirm that at this time we are not embarking on any course of action that would result in the closure of the Jamaican base of the M.V.P. Track and Field Club. We are and continue to be headquartered at the University of Technology, Kingston, Jamaica. If ever we were to contemplate initiating such a course of action our various stakeholders would be formally notified, this includes our athletes, support staff, corporate sponsors and of course the people of Jamaica. For updates on the club and our athletes you are invited to visit our website www.mvptrackclub.com the official source for information on the M.V.P. Track and Field Club on the internet. Per, Bruce James, President, M.V.P. Track and Field Club, Stuttgart, Germany.
