‘Mercy’ sprints after IAAF Level V Elite Coach Diploma

Local track and field coach Michael “Lord Have Mercy” Ollivierre, will, from next Monday, embark on IAAF Level V Elite Coach Diploma and a USATF Level III Endurance Certification at the IMG Academy,{{more}} Bradenton, Florida.

Part of the course outline includes poster and home study, as well as a 10-minute individual presentation given and evaluated by IAAF Faculty in classroom setting, stating the interdisciplinary project to be implemented over the next six months.

Ollivierre, on return to St Vincent and the Grenadines, will be required to implement the project.

Among the topics to be taught during the intense course are Sports Science and the Coaching Procedures; Running Mechanics of Maximum Velocity Sprinting, Practical Application for Maximum Velocity Sprinting; the Practical Approach Coaching Sprints – Maximum Velocity; as well as the Physiological Demands and Limiting Factors to Sprint Performance.

Prepared for the task at hand, Ollivierre, an IAAF Level IV coach, told SEARCHLIGHT: “It is the highest level; it is elite coaches and I am really looking forward to the course… It is something that I should have done some years ago, since I was in Jamaica, and even two years ago, since I am back… I am prepared.”

Ollivierre, whose participation in the course has been endorsed by Team Athletics SVG, said that prior to his departure on Sunday, he has to do a lot of preparatory work — something he is accustomed to.

He revealed that he is among four from the region who were awarded scholarships.

The others are Jose Ludwig Rubio of the Dominican Republic, Michael Clarke of Jamaica and Donelle Esdaille of St Kitts and Nevis.

Ollivierre, who is also a trained football and cricket coach, spent almost three decades in track and field, mainly in Jamaica, before returning to St Vincent and the Grenadines in 2010.

He is the man credited behind a successful track and field programme at St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS) from 1981-1997 in Jamaica, and has coached several athletes, including Kenroy Levy who set a Carifta record of 1:48.95, to win the 800m in 1987.

Ollivierre has also had a hand in the success of Olympic and World Championships silver-medallist Winthrop Graham in the 1985 400m hurdles and 400m.

Ollivierre was honoured at the Penn Relays, as an outstanding coach of the 1980’s and being the Boys Coach then, with the most titles.

Locally, Ollivierre has headed the then St Vincent and the Grenadines Amateur Athletics Association and was at the helm of the subregional OECS Sports Desk.

Since his return to the land of his birth three years ago, Ollivierre sprouted the Vincentian version of IT-DAT – his track and field club.(RT)