Alleyne Francique (GRN) wins the 400m final (© Getty Images)
World Indoor 400m champion Alleyne Francique was brought up in such poverty in his native Grenada that he used to go to school hungry having had no breakfast.
Now the 27-year-old American-based athlete has built up an insatiable appetite not just for food but medals, and he hopes to satisfy this need by climbing on to the Olympic medal podium in Athens later this summer.
For the past three years Francique has performed consistently on the international circuit, placing seventh and eighth in the last two IAAF World Championships 400m finals in Edmonton and Paris respectively. But this year the amiable former Louisiana State University student has firmly stepped up a notch to put himself in the frame for an Olympic medal.
Outdoor PB in Osaka – 44.47!
Francique signalled his intent with a gold medal last March at the World Indoor Championships, winning the final by four-hundredths of a second in 45.88 from Jamaican Davian Clarke. But he has made an even more startling impact outdoors, by smashing his personal best time to win in Osaka earlier this month in a world class 44.47.
Brought up the oldest of six children by his single parent mother, life was tough for Francique on the tiny Caribbean island nation. “At High School I often couldn’t get breakfast and I went to school hungry,” said Francique.
“When I was in class I was thinking of wanting something to eat and I couldn’t concentrate. “Not for one second did I think I would in the position I am today. “I have my own place, a jeep and I don’t have to worry about food. I’m not well off but I’m comfortable.”
Initially no desire for 400m
At school he dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player or cricketer (he was skipper and opening bowler for the school team) but he showed a greater ability for running fast rather than bowling fast. Although, initially, he showed little desire to run 400m.
“Everyone said I would be better at 400m,” added Francique, “but I preferred 200m, 400m was too much pain.”
But it was to be his performances at 400m, which caught the eye of the American colleges and he attended junior college in New Jersey from 1998-2000 before later moving to study business at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.
Coach Henry
It was here Francique teamed up with his current coach Pat Henry and joined a large and competitive training group, which includes 44.29 400m runner Derrick Brew, triple jumper Walter Davis and Jamaican sprint hurdler Debbie Ann-Parris. Henry improved the Grenadan athlete markedly and it is to his coach, whom he believes he owes the greatest debt.
“I give him all the credit,” said Francique of Henry. “He has been like a father figure to me. He taught me right from wrong.”
Well ahead of season’s plans
Yet even Francique was surprised by his outstanding personal best of 44.47 in Osaka earlier this month – a time which would have won him the gold medal at last summer’s IAAF World Championship 400m final.
“I was looking for a time of 44.8/44.9 going into the race,” he explained. “The aim at the start of the season was to run around 44.5 by the time of the Olympics, so I’m well ahead. I went into the race relaxed and with no pressure. But when I saw the time I thought they had made a mistake.”
But there was no mistake. Indeed, such was the expectation level going into his next race in Doha on May 15, it was a little disappointing the Grenada athlete clocked ONLY 45.56 to finish second behind Jamaica’s Brandon Simpson.
Yet Francique is unconcerned by his performance in Qatar and believes his improvement can be explained by a more dedicated all round approach.
“I go to bed, wake up, eat, train, watch TV and go to bed,” he explained of his regimented, disciplined approach. “I no longer have college work to think about.”
Island impact – local meet
Such is his impact in the nation known as ‘the Spice Island’ the Prime Minister of Grenada, Kevin Mitchell, rang him up to congratulate him after he won the World Indoor title in March and he is a three-time winner of the Grenadan Sport Personality of the Year prize.
On May 29, a bumper crowd is expected to be shoe-horned into the national athletics stadium to catch a glimpse of Francique, who intends to compete in the 400m and the 4x400m relay at the Whitsuntide Games in St George’s, the capital city of his homeland.
But does Francique feel the weight of expectation of the 90,000 population willing him to become their first ever Olympic medallist later this summer.
“No, not really pressure,” he explained, “they will be hoping I run well.”
But in what is likely to prove one of the most wide-open events in the track and field programme, Francique offers a typically realistic assessment of his chances.
“Anybody can win the 400m on any given day,” he added. “I think I can come away with the gold. But everyone is at the same level and no one dominates the event. It is going to be down to the day.”
All of Grenada will be praying it will be Francique’s day.
