Shelly's new coach revealed

STAR Sports has been reliably informed that two-time Olympic gold medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser is now being coached by Reynaldo Walcott, after recently severing ties with her long-time coach at the MVP Track Club, Stephen Francis.

When contacted last night, Walcott, who has built his reputation at St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS) would not speak on the matter, but sources confirm that the well-decorated sprinter has been working out with Walcott's new outfit since last week.

Walcott, considered to be one of the leading young coaches in the island, is quite familiar with Fraser-Pryce as he has been a key member of the MVP Track Club's technical staff for a number of years. He is, however, now leading his own professional set-up and seems to have already assembled quite an impressive stable.

Not confirm or deny

Speaking on behalf of Walcott, Keith Wellington, principal at STETHS confirmed that Walcott will lead a professional athletics club, which will be based at the institution, but would not confirm or deny whether or not Fraser-Pryce had joined the club.

"It's a decision that is a good one, he would have been involved in coaching quite a few youngsters who have done very well at the youth level. The decision was taken specifically around the circumstances surrounding one of our recent student athletes and his career choice and what would have been required of him to move in the professional realm and out of discussion with that student and his parents, it was felt that the best scenario for him was for him to remain with coach Walcott," said Wellington in reference to Champs Class One Boys sprint double champion Nigel Ellis.

"You will have to confirm that on your own, I am not commenting on that at this point," Wellington added when asked specifically about Fraser-Pryce's link.

Walcott is largely credited for the re-emergence of St Elizabeth Technical as a leading athletics programme among local high schools over the past few seasons, leading the team to top 10 finishes in the girls' section and top five finishes among the boys over past few years. Walcott is also responsible for the development of exciting local talents such as Junelle Bromfield, Nigel Ellis, Jauavney James and Andrew Fisher.

When contacted last night Fraser-Pryce's manager, Bruce James, declined to comment on the issue.