Jamaican Diaspora Southern U.S. to host reception to honor Asafa Powell and Coach Stephen Francis

MIAMI – The Jamaican Diaspora Southern United States will host a community reception, under the auspices of the Consulate General of Jamaica, in honor of Asafa Powell, The World’s Fastest Man, and Coach Stephen Francis on Friday, February 2, 2007, 6pm-8pm at Diaspora Vibe Gallery, 3938 N. Miami Avenue, 2nd Floor, Madonna Building, in Miami’s Design District.

Both Asafa Powell and Stephen Francis are special guests of Nike for the Superbowl weekend celebrations.

“On one of the biggest weekends in sports, it is truly a special opportunity to honor Asafa and Coach Francis as shining examples of Jamaican talent, perseverance, and excellence, and as contemporary legends in their sport,” stated Marlon Hill, Jamaican Diaspora Advisory Board Member for the Southern U.S.

Asafa Powell, 24, is currently the world’s fastest man, capturing the world record of the 100m (9.77) in Athens in June 2005, and again in June 2006 and again in August 2006.

Asafa Powell

An alumni of Charlemount High School in Jamaica, Powell decided against moving to the USA to further his career and continues to train in Kingston, Jamaica with renowned Jamaican based Coach Stephen Francis. Asafa is also recipient of the 2006 IAAF Male Athlete of the Year and Commonwealth Athlete of the Year Awards in 2006.

His coach, Stephen Francis is a graduate of the University of Michigan and alumni of Wolmer’s Boys School. Coach Francis is renowned for his tutelage and guidance of some of the world’s high performance athletes, including, sprinters Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson the fastest woman in the world for 2006 on the home turf of Jamaica.

Coach Stephen Francis

Coach Francis is the recipient of a one of the highest awards in Jamaica, the Order of Distinction, a National honor.

Asafa Powell and Coach Stephen Francis are members of the Jamaica-based MVP Track & Field Club.