RENOWNED Jamaican track and field coach Paul Francis says he is very humbled and honoured after he was bestowed with the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer by the Government of Jamaica on Heroes’ Day.

Francis, a founding member of MVP Track and Field Club along with his brother Stephen, was awarded for his services in the field of sport in the area of track and field, during Monday’s ceremony which was held at National Indoor Sports Centre in St Andrew.

“I am excited by the fact that the Government could recognise some of the efforts, and it is a very humbling experience. I am very motivated to try even harder, not to get an award, but to continue doing the things that I do best — which is to change lives,” Francis said.

“It is always special, I think, when you are recognised by the powers that be for the efforts that you have put in; and being able to see that, it is always special,” he noted.

MVP Track and Field Club has nurtured the likes of many-time Olympic gold medallists Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah, along with former world 100m record holder Asafa Powell.

Hansle Parchment, the 2020 Olympic Games 110m Hurdles champion, was conferred with Jamaica’s sixth-highest honour, the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander, for his exceptional achievements in the sport of athletics at the world and Olympic levels.

Parchment’s coach, Fitz Coleman, was bestowed with the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer for outstanding contribution to sport in the area of track and field.

Veteran football coach and Jamaica Football Federation Technical Director Wendell Downswell received the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer for his contribution to the development of football.

Veteran physician Dr Paul Wright was conferred with the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer for his services to the field of medicine and his work in developing Jamaica Association of Sports Medicine.

— Robert Bailey