It’s official!! The speculation is over. She is going to Run! And Run She intends to. Luan Gabriel, the daughter of the late Felix Gabriel and Cyrilla Hilton, will be running in the 200m for Dominica at the London 2012 Olympic game.
“I feel very proud of myself. It’s the biggest competition in my athletic career so far, but I am ready to do it” said a confident Gabriel. She continued “I know it’s going to be a challenge but I am up for it”.
It has been a very amazing summer for this young lady. This though will be a defining moment in her young life. Asked how she would approach the race she said “ I would like to have a good start out of the block, push forward quickly in the first 30m, come out hard on the curve, relax coming into the home stretch and press hard for the final 50m – spoken like a veteran runner. Dominicans will get a chance to watch her execute on the home stretch.
According to team coach Joel Hamilton, the decision to run was made by the athlete with his guidance and support. It is not about winning he said, but an opportunity to gain some valuable experience on the world stage.
President of the Dominica Olympic Committee Mr. Felix Wilson is confident that Luan will do well. He explained that Gabriel has guaranteed him that she intends to do her best here in London but it is the next Olympic game in Brazil that she made what he termed a startling declaration, “Mr. Wilson I am going to be on the podium in Rio”.
It is this larger than life attitude that is her best gift. Still considered pretty raw with her technique by Head coach at Columbia University and personal coach of Erison Hurtault, Willy Wood, he is astonished at her power and determined attitude. After watching her in training he walked over to Hamilton and asked “is she really 16?” Similar questions were asked by the Jamaican head coach after watching the young thoroughbred from Bioche trot her stuff.
When asked about her readiness Gabriel said calmly “Well I am ready”. Hamilton on the other hand explained that she came to London nursing a few niggles. He is confident however that with the high quality treatment and attention she has received here, those issues have been resolved.
When asked if there were any final comments, she replied like an experienced campaigner “ I would like to thank everyone who has assisted me thus far, my family and friends from Bioche and Dublanc, my coaches Mr. Nabi Wallace and Joseph Basil.” She was also grateful to the current and former athletes who sent best wishes to the team in recent days.
Luan is a member of Aspirers Sport Club in Portsmouth where she is coached by Mr. Nabi Wallace, who, I must add, has done a very fine job in developing this athlete. In his absence, he is quite capably supported by Mr. Joseph Basil.
Ironically, written in her locker room at the club house is a sign posted under her picture ‘BRAZIL 2016.’ This is such an awesome story of a dream coming true. It’s even more amazing when it happens 4 years ahead of schedule. The future looks bright for Luan but careful management and support is critical.
She is ours Dominica! DON’T LET HER DOWN!
For team Dominica and the speedster from the west coast it’s all systems go.
Race Time: Monday August 6th between 1:50pm and 4:55pm.
From the finish line in London England at the 2012 Olympic Game…
Darwin Telemaque
Caribbean Sports Connection
On behalf of the Dominica Olympic Committee
Sponsored by Lime
#TeamDominica #TeamCaribbean
Go girl u’ve made all of us proud. Gods Speed!!
Luan no matter what the outcome, I personally am very proud of you. Just seeing my country being represented is a lot already. Be strong, no matter what don’t give up, ensure you finish your race!!!! I wish I could be there to give you a bouquet at the airport when u get bk. I really admire you. You’re gonna reach far one day. Walk with your head high no matter what the results tomorrow.
yeah yeah yeah………..you better win
yeah yeah yeah hope you wine……………..
Did she run yet?
To God be the glory great things He has done.Luan in every thing give thanks;this is the beginning of good things to come;the fact that you are competing is already a gold medal.you are a great Dominican.Love you both,Errison and Luan.
We are proud of you Luan We will be cheering for you come tomorrow. God bless you.
OMG!!! Luan we are sooooo very proud of you.Win , Lose or Draw you are our winner. You are an inspiration to my 11 yr old son. With God on our side, we will be glued to our tv sets. All the best sweetheart. God is in control. WE LOVE YOU!!!
congratulations for entering the Olympics games Dominicans must be so proud of u !!! do yr best ……
Luan–you’re sending shivers up my spine—medal or not–you’ve already made us proud. You can do it girl. Practice, practice, and more practice, keep healthy, focused and take it to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Love you.
God bless you!
Luan—you’re sending shivers up my spine—medal or not you have already made us proud! You can do it girl–practice,practice,practice,keep healthy and focused ok?
Love you.
God bless you!!
Go girl GO!!!!!!
Go girl! Do your best!
We are looking ahead for 2016 but no mention improving her potentials for 2016, feel these officials are just on a joy ride for the heck of it, pl tell us the Dominican people what are you all going to do to ensure she vbecomes more competitive, i expect that from you Mr telemacque, not this long empty release
I wish she would atleast win the bronze..I just want to see DA on the map..I wish her all the best and we Dominicans should pray for her success and support her 100 % !!
Just proud of this young lady. Make your momma and fam happy like you’ve been and us… Dominica.
Rio for true but London first
God is watching over u Luan be confident in yourself and strive ahead we are all saying prayers for u up here in London and will be cheering u on no matter the outcome as u said it’s a great experience so go out and do ur best Gooooooooooooo LUAN
It feels so good to know that there is so much positive in young persons. Go Luan go! Dominica is proud of you.
good luck, make us all proud, may god guide and protect you on to victory
good luck to you, make us proud…
Joel Hamilton has never excelled at being a good coach, so how can he expect anything much from two athletes that he has never worked with for longer than 3 weeks.
in his last interview he claims that this was the best that he had seen Ericson.. i wonder when last did he see Ericson perform. I am rooting for team Dominica, but Joel needs to stop.
U go girl. Make your mom proud, your coach and most of all yourself and also thank god. MAKE YOUR COUNTRY PROUD. good luck god bless you
Go Luan…god’s speed and best of luck.Bring home the gold.
U go girl run as fast as u can……..best of luck u are already making ur country proud………at least there is no controversy like St. kitts…..
please, Luan had always been registered to run this race -there is no funding for observers at the games(I detest lies and silly games -why play games with the public?). This is no mystery- why the drama? The IAAF website had her as REGISTERED ATHLETE-NOT AN OBSERVER. Goood Luck Luan.
i pray gods favour to be upon you through all this,and i have no dobt that you will make dominicans all over the world proud.jah bless,
LouLou God’s gonna give you wings my dear child trust me whether you got through or not i am 200% behind your dreams with you.. GO LOULOU GO!!!!!!!!! W
Go girl we know you’ve got what it takes. You are truly a winner. May God shower his Blessings up you…
Yes!!! Make us proud
Thank you Father for your blessings. As I said, when God blessing you with a gift/talent/opportunity, take it, big or small. Good luck young lady. I will be glued to my TV watching for you.
God Bless.
Luan my heart was aching when I heard that you
might not run, I’am so happy you are running. God
is good all the time and all the God is good. Luan have faith and all will be well. May God
strengthen your feet and carry you to the finish
line.
i am calling on the governement to give her a full schorlarsship so she can further develop her talent
NO matter what happens… I just want to know.. that she tried her best!!! and she is proud of her self… don’t let people intimidate you
Congratulations to Luan. I feel proud of the best coach Dominica has ever seen, Nabi Wallace.
Love her attitude and mindset.
Somebody explain this article to me. ” Lian is going to run? Didnt she go to London to run? I am totally confused, but BEST OF LUCK MS GABRIEL!. Doesnt matter what place you get the fact that you run at the olympics is good enough for Dominica.
OMG I have tears in my eyes for you Luan, tears of joy! Run Luan run, just being there and knowing you gave it your all is enough. Heck you just might shock even yourself!
”Mr. Wilson I am going to be on the podium in Rio”.
That statement made me emotional. There is a spirit that is carying this girl forward to greatness.
let them see we can do it LUAN. from DOMINICA with love…
go for it dominica.wish u all the best.
go for it just do your best and the good GOD will do the rest its his will one love to all dominicans
Father in heaven ,look upon her may she give it her heart,and direct her in jesus name. God be with you luan we are proud of you
Amen
Go Luan Go!!! You already make us proud… U have our Blessings!!!
OMG prayers for you girl. Win a medal or not, you are ours and we celebrate you, both of you. You inspire our young people to strive just by being there never forget that. Remain humble and focused on what you are to do. Blessings to you my girl.
yeah! hooray for Luan..God’s favour upon you Lulu.
Reppin 767 nt forgettin tht ITSS massive go lu lu no matter wat we will still b proud
Go Miss Gabriel and continue to represent us and extension the Caribbean. She is so well spoken and determined. after getting Gold at the carifta games in A DBS interview she said “she saw her name on the Gold medal”. I have no doubts she will in fact be on the podium in Rio. Go Luan, Go… the entire Dominican public is behind you.
GO LUAN!!! GO LUAN!!!!… I am so proud
Go Lu-Lu go, we backing you 1000% in Bioche
I wish you all of the best Luan. Make us proud.
Way to go, Luan!!1 We are all routing for you!!! Make us proud!! And as was said, it is not about winning, but having an experience of a LIFETIME!!!
Best of luck Luan…Go out there and once you give your best, that’s enough!
GO LAU LAU… GOOOO!!!
dramatic much Darwin? Was this some kinda ploy to get us revved up ahead of Luan’s race? Of course she’s gonna run. That’s why she’s there.
All the best Luan.
Appreciating the reports Darwin. Not hard journalism but good reads nontheless.
Congratulation, Luan! I am so very excited for you and look forward to seeing you on the podium there in London. Failing that, you are to be commended for having committed yourself to reaching your goal.
Can’t wait to see.
That’s great that a Dominican is representing. Keep up the good works.
“Mr. Wilson I am going to be on the podium in Rio”.
Luan you are already a CHAMPION! I am certain you will be on the podium in RIO! But guess what you are already on the Podium in the #1 position in Dominican’s hearts.
We’ll be supporting you all the way. Yahweh guide you!
I not moving an inch from the tv on Monday…go Luan go, make the most of this opportunity
hi my girl luan, u made it that far god be with you all the way to winning that gold for bioche and dominica.