‘Mercy’ reaches Level Five with distinction

Vincentian track and field coach Michael “Lord Have Mercy” Ollivierre has received his diploma, confirming his status as an IAAF Level V coach.{{more}}

Having successfully completed the Elite Coaching Diploma and a USATF Level III Endurance Certification at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, USA in December 2013, Ollivierre had to return here and implement a coaching project.

During the intense course, Ollivierre was tutored in Sports Science and the Coaching Procedure; Running Mechanics of Maximum Velocity Sprinting; Practical Application for Maximum Velocity Sprinting; the Practical Approach Coaching Sprints – Maximum Velocity as well as Physiology Demands and Limiting Factors to Sprint Performance.

“It is the highest level and I did it with distinction… It is a natural progression… It is good to know that I am one of the best track and field coaches that this country has produced,” Ollivierre stated to SEARCHLIGHT.

One who is not without some jabbing, he added, however, “The only thing though, is that I am not being rewarded at the national coaching level for my efforts by those who are in charge… I coach the most athletes who get selected to the national teams and others are preferred to me.”

Despite his misgivings, Ollivierre plans to continue doing his best with the athletes of his club IT-DAT.

Ollivierre, who spent many years living and coaching track and field in Jamaica, before returning to St Vincent and the Grenadines in 2010, has been credited for the emergence of St Elizabeth Technical as a powerhouse in Jamaica’s athletics set-up.

Among Ollivierre’s success stories was Kenroy Levy, who in 1987, set a Carifta record in the 800m.

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

Ollivierre has received an honour at the famed Penn Relays as one of the most outstanding boys’ coaches during the 1980’s, as he then had won the most titles.