TWO-time Olympic Games 4×100-metre relay gold medallist Michael Frater says he will be spending the next few months focussing more on his rehabilitation from recent knee surgery than on finding himself a new training home following his split from the Stephen Francis-coached MVP Track and Field Club.

Frater underwent orthoscopic surgery on his knee in Miami, Florida a few weeks ago and told the Jamaica Observer that he was given six to eight weeks to recover from surgery but that he will need at least six months before his knee will be back to full strength.

It may affect his preparation for the 2013 IAAF World Championships in Moscow, Russia in August, but the athlete intimated that he will be more focussed on his health than competition for the time being.

“To be honest all I’m really doing is concentrating on my rehab. I’m getting myself healthy and then I will think about what I’m doing,” the 2005 World Championships 100m silver medallist said.

“I am not in any rush to hamper myself. I’m just going to do my rehab and whenever I’m ready I’ll do it back at that time.”

Frater, who was elected third vice-president of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) two weeks ago, has been at odds with the MVP Club’s head coach since the November 29 election when an article published in the Observer quoted Francis as saying that unless Frater could convince him that he would not be negatively influenced by the Warren Blake-led administration, he could be asked to leave the University of Technology (UTech)-based club.

“That is the way I’m leaning unless something else can be worked out. If he (Frater) can explain how my issues will be addressed satisfactorily and how he can convince us that he will not allow those on the JAAA executive to sabotage us (he can stay),” Francis said at the time.

Frater, who expressed disappointment in Francis’ comments, on Wednesday handed in his letter signalling his intention to leave the club.

“We just parted company,” Frater said yesterday. “I sent them a letter (typed)… and it was taken and given (to Francis). Mr Francis got the letter at about 10 that morning.”

Frater, who has captained Jamaica’s team to the last two major events in world track and field, has however left room for things to be worked out with the veteran coach despite having not had any discussions with him in the last few weeks.

“I haven’t tried for him since then (but) for me it is what it is. It doesn’t really matter to me right now (and) if he was to call me I would talk to him. I don’t have anything against coach Francis.”

He added that despite rumours he has not been approached by any rival clubs or coaches, as he is not yet ready for the next step.

“Nobody has approached me. I’ve been hearing all of that stuff and I find it strange because I have not said anything to anybody about moving on. When I am ready to resume training I will decide what I’m doing.”

Meanwhile, the athlete who joined the slate of JAAA president Dr Warren Blake because of his proposal to start a new athletes welfare commission and other benefits with the athletes future well-being in mind, hinted that he may be in charge of that new commission once it is ratified.

Frater was popular among the electorate having secured 204 votes — the most of any candidate.

The new executive of the JAAA had its first meeting on Wednesday at which names were put forward for the various committees and commissions, which will be ratified at a later date.

“That’s where my portfolio will be, but I can’t say who will be on it because it has to be ratified. It was the first meeting, so Dr Blake started to get all the committees lined up and ratified to get the ball on the ground so that everything can be taken care of.”

Frater, in the meantime, plans to spend some time overseas with family during the upcoming Christmas holidays and he said he still keeps in daily touch with his former MVP teammates.