Day, Spencer speak out

Andre Lowe

Special Projects Editor - Sports

Olympians Kaliese Spencer and Christine Day have made their first public comments since news broke last week that they were leaving the Stephen Francis-led MVP Track Club.

The athletes who have since joined Bert Cameron's 'Cameron Blazers' have thanked Francis for his decade-long guidance, but say they were not getting the desired attention at the University of Technology-based MVP Track Club.

"I felt like an outcast," said Spencer, 400 metres hurdles gold medal winner at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and one of the most successful athletes in the history of the IAAF Diamond League. "Maybe I outgrew him (Francis), and I didn't feel I was needed any longer."

"This is something I prayed about before I even made my choice," added Spencer, the 2014 Commonwealth Games champion and World Indoor Championships 400m silver medal winner, who also explained her reasons behind choosing to work with Cameron.

"I just thought that he was a very kind person, he has a great personality, always encouraging us even though we were not a part of his club, he always motivated us and that really helped in my decision. Of course he also did the 400m, is an Olympian and World Champion so that was a great part," said Spencer.

felt uncomfortable

"I have seen how he (Cameron) works with his athletes and the attention he gives them and I know I will improve," Day, chipped in.

Day, the national 400m champion and World Championships finalist, said she too felt uncomfortable remaining at MVP.

"I know I will improve," she said, adding that she is satisfied with the attention that Cameron gives his athletes. "I am looking forward to the future," she said.

In the meantime, the athletes say the way in which they separated from MVP was regrettable.

According to Day, following two meetings with Francis, he informed her via a text message that he would not continue to train her.

Meanwhile, Spencer said two days after deciding she would not return to MVP, Francis appeared on television announcing that their relationship had ended.

But Spencer said she had no discussions whatsoever with Francis.