Track tactician reveals tough balancing act to keep injury prone Kishane Thompson fit for racing

Kishane Thompson's coach explains methods he uses to ensure injury-prone stars are fit to deliver when it matters.

Kishane Thompson’s MVP Track Club head coach Stephen Francis has delved into the methods he uses to ensure his injury-riddled track stars are ready to perform in situations that really matter.

Throughout his coaching career, Francis has been credited with turning athletes like Elaine Thompson-Herah into global sensations. Thompson-Herah's incredible five-time Olympic gold medal run under his guidance at the 2016 and 2020 Games stands as a testament to his unique approach. 

However, since leaving MVP, the sprinter has struggled with injuries, forcing her to miss the Paris Olympics—proof of the critical role Francis’ methods play in maintaining his athletes' health and success.

Kishane Thompson, despite being plagued by injuries for much of his young career, has shown flashes of brilliance, none more so than when he clocked a stunning 9.77 seconds at the Jamaican Nationals in June—a world-leading time at the moment. 

Yet, the same recurring injuries that have hindered his consistency and international exposure held him back from competing in major events like the World Championships.

Francis recently spoke about how he’s managed to keep Thompson performing at such a high level, despite the obstacles. 

The coach revealed his scientific approach to training, explaining how he ensures his athletes are prepared for key moments by balancing their workloads and providing the right stimulus for improvement.

In an interview with Adtelligent TV, Francis said: “I subscribe to about 10 journals, some of them are bi-monthly and the other half are monthly, mostly sports science or sports medicine and therapy.” 

This, he explained, gives him valuable insights into the latest in sports medicine, helping him create personalized strategies for each athlete.

Francis shared that track and field is unique because, unlike many sports, training often requires athletes to work at 100 percent intensity, making them more vulnerable to injuries. “It is important to measure progress,” he emphasized. To counteract the repetitive strain of high-intensity training, Francis leverages technology to monitor and stimulate the body’s adaptation to training regimens.

“The human body adapts very quickly to stresses,” Francis explained. “If you change a thing, pretty soon it becomes immune to that particular thing, regardless of volume or intensity, so you have to find new stimulus to help the body into thinking this is something new.”

This cutting-edge philosophy has been critical in keeping Thompson in prime condition, despite his injury setbacks.

 The sprinter’s hamstring issues forced him to pull out of both the Silesia and Rome Diamond League meets this year, putting his promising season on pause. Nevertheless, Francis’ approach aims to ensure that when Thompson returns to the track, it’s at the highest level possible.

For Francis, success boils down to consistency and a process-driven mentality. “As long as athletes understand that it is all process-driven—focusing on the process, not the end result—they will perform very well,” he said.

This philosophy, paired with his reliance on sports science, allows Francis to continuously find ways to push his athletes to their limits without compromising their health. His final word on the matter? “At the end of the day, what will make you great as an athlete is your ability to focus.”