IT APPEARS as if Stephen Francis does not believe that the rules of the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA) apply to him and the top athletes he trains. He argues that his success should be enough for him to be trusted and, by extension, exempted. The Gleaner quotes Francis as saying: "I don't see why they look at a coach of my reputation and want to tell me how to prepare my athletes. What right do they have to tell me how to prepare my athletes?" With this kind of logic, maybe there is no need for the JAAA, since athletes chosen to represent the country are usually well trained and at the top of their game and, therefore, they and their coaches should be at liberty to do what they want, including ignoring the directives of the JAAA.

Francis should stop whining and start acting responsibly like a role model, thereby encouraging other coaches to cooperate with the JAAA's efforts to do the job required of them.

I am, etc.,

Sylvester 'Jim' Bowie

bowies@csus.edu

California

USA