Amadeo Francis, the former president of the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association, has died at the age of 92.
The Cayman Islands Athletic Association joined federations throughout athletics in sharing tributes and condolences following his passing on Saturday, 24 Aug.
“Dr. Francis played a pivotal role in the development of the sport within the region,” CIAA president Delroy Murray said.
Francis, also a former vice president of World Athletics, was born in the Virgin Islands in October 1931. Francis made Puerto Rico his home and competed globally for that country in the 400-metre hurdles at the 1948 and 1952 Olympic Games.
He served as president of NACAC for 20 years and was instrumental in the establishment of the Pan American Athletics Commission, serving the quadrennial Pan American Games.
His efforts also included Cayman. Murray said Francis also assisted in bringing major youth championships to the island in the early days of athletics.
“He was instrumental in the Cayman Islands hosting of the 1995 CARIFTA Games and was always a friend and supporter of Cayman athletics, who showed a keen interest in the development of the sport on the Islands,” Murray said.
Murray went on to note that Neville ‘Teddy’ McCook and Victor Lopez, assisted in helping Francis build the bedrock of the sport’s development within the Caribbean.
“[Francis] was approachable, amiable, and always willing to share his knowledge on both an administrative and technical level.
“The CIAA extends its condolences to his family and friends.”
Related Videos
