Erison Hurtault ran a season’s best 46.05 and failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the London 2012 Olympic game. Hurtault up against a very competitive field said he felt good and was in fine physical condition. He lamented that sitting out for almost 10 weeks this summer due to injury might have contributed to his loss.
Hurtault teary and at some point unable to speak said that he could have done better with a few more meets under his belt. “I run with these guys all the time,” he said. “I can challenge them but not without the correct preparation”. He figured that his finish could have been stronger as he had stayed with the top of the field all the way to the home stretch.
After losing the race Hurtault was the last of the field, his focused stare at the big screen revealing a haunting reality. The games were over for him and his country (in 4oom ). His emotions were clear to everyone in the stand including the many journalists who surrounded him later. The man from Dominica was feeling really bad he had failed his country.
In spite of his loss, Erison remained committed to his effort to bring something special to Dominica. He spoke with the kindest gratitude of the support he has received from Dominica.
His final comments were, “I want to thank the people of Dominica for their support. I want to promise them that I will be back to deliver a medal to them.”
Hurtault receives monthly support from the Dominica Olympic Association, which enables him to remain focused on competing. The committee hopes that with the help of the DAAA and everyone in Dominica many more athletes would be positioned to receive this level of support.
From the finish line at the London 2012 Olympic Games!
Darwin Telemaque
Caribbean Sports Connection
On behalf of the Olympic committee
With the Compliments of Lime
Erison has made me so proud representing OUR people!
Excellent job representing us on the international sports platform, Erison.
It’s obvious that since you won the best time for the season that you put forth your best effort. Thank you so much.
God bless you!
At a recent social gathering I spoke to someone who is born in Canada, whose mother was an Hurtault (since passed on) and told her about Erison. She is a nice young lady. I asked if they are related. She said she does not know him. I told her all the Hurtaults in DA must be related. He must be your cousin and hope you view the competition. I also told her that even from afar he needs all the encouragement.
Some of you are chronic complainers and are negative. I wish Erison good luck next time around. Whatever you critics state as you work yourself up to a frenzy because he did not win, he tried his utmost. The saying, “If at first you do not succeed, try again.” He should consider this. He may be successful later.
All is also fair in sports. All those who competed wanted to win and they all tried. Winning was for a few and not all of them. Everyone could not win. Therefore give him a break. If he had won, all Dominicans would be singing his praises. Be grateful for his concerted effort.
Erison Hurtault, congratulations that you tried so hard. Do not give up. Try again. If your present sponsor gives up easily and will not endorse you the next time around, I hope another one will do so. You have some years. Rest now and take it easy. You deserve a good rest after this strenuous preparation and competition which was obviously filled with anxiety. Do not allow the critics to bother you. Many wish you the best for the future. Do not give up. Keep at it; keep practicing.
Top athletes run 44 seconds. Stop this DENIAL.
Congrats young man for representing your country. Do not listen to the naysayers – we could do alot more for you and other young athletes to help you represent your country. Keep your head way up.
Here we have it, the nineteen year old Kirani James has earned Grenada its first Olympic gold, James took off like a wild jaguar, in the plains of Africa, and could not be caught!
I could here the echo’s all the way from Grenada when the hundred thousand Grenada’s all together shout ” Gold for Granada!”
Dominican’s accomplishment is only in the talk, especially when the talk is about tourism, we here that we win all kinds of honor in the industry, because we have the best of hotels in the world you know, the cuisines and best International Airport, yet we cannot run.
All we can do is be a good challenge for dem fellers eh; an boy is so we have style when we running eh, our feet and arms doh move further dan three inches apart, cause dat is we Dominica style:
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!
There are lessons to be learnt hear; we are not ready, and unless we get prepared it is likely we will become an embarrassment to ourselves and country four years from now.
And so I say congratulation to Kirani James, and the people of Grenada, his people have something to be happy about, this is the time to recognize that he has made his people proud, the gold medal is visible, whereas there is not to be proud about, and congratulation is out of order to people who fail to qualify and be considered Olympians!
The Dominican Republic has also capture gold for the second time in eight years, earned by the same thirty year old Sanchez.
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
@ Francisco
What is the problem with you? Look at this situation positively and not negatively. For one, everyone cannot win. This is the manner in which I view it. Congratulate him for trying his best and wish him good luck the next time.
His best was not good enough for the US, yet D/ca invested in him. Wasn’t that a clear indication that there would be no return on this investment… unless it was to carry the flag at the opening ceremony!!! I say Shame on D/ca.
I’m proud of Hurtault for his perfomance. We all would have been even happier to see a victory. At this point he should focus his efforts on training upcoming Dominican athletes, especially in LA. God bless.
From 2008 Olympics 400m time of 46.10 got a monthly stipend to TRAIN AND PREPARE for future Olympic(2012)- there was nothing worth mentioning with 46.05. NO MARKED IMPROVEMENT.
It is fair to say or ask the DOC to discontinue supporting Erison Hurtault and focus on more dedicated athletes.
He mislead the people gave the people false hopes and came back to say that he was not prepared.
What is up with the Dominican committee giving a stipend and he is trying out for the US team. Why would you do this? BACKSTABBER if you had made it you would have DROPPED us like a HOT POTATO.
FOUR YEARS OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO NOWHERE.
Dominica LOCAL U-21 BOYS 2011 400M TIME 51.50. They have NO ACCESS AND NO FINANCIAL SUPPORT. Go figure these are the people to THROW THE MONEY BEHIND.
All you think about is money, the almighty dollar. You should note that he tried his best and did his best. The best of athletes today were not the best in bygone years.
You got this right “the best of athletes today were not in the best in bygone years”
Did you check his performance record on the IAAF website? If this is his best then I am right -his best years are behind him – in 7 years this guy has not been able to shave off anything off his time.
Athletes TRAIN and show improvement he did not. He claimed he was ready and after said he wasn’t. His worse time ever was ran this year(2012) 48+ seconds looking in 2005 he ran 47.32. He is burnt out. Qualifying standard times going up – records winning times going up(getting faster) he is getting slower. Are you not seeing it? I have athletes in my family and I know what I am talking about.
Dominica Olympians so far
Jerome Romaine
Dawn Williams
Hermin Joseph
Cedric Harris
Stephen Agar
Wood row Lawrance
Francilla Agar
Marcia Daniel
Kenneth Maronie
Christ Lloyd
Erison Hartault
They did not win a medal but they did a great job. Thank you
And Luan Gabriel
Young Bull sing your song.
The haters will keep on hating and always have negative thoughts and comments, regardless of the outcome of the product. We need to be proud of Erison Hurtault for his confidence, efforts and abilities. Are any of you haters out there representing Dominica? No, then why? Erison Hurtault is the one out there representing so we would prefer your negative comments to remain with your person and not bring it here. Lightning strikes and Thunder storms for the haters!
@ Rastafari
He must be encouraged. Note how he was disappointed that he did not win. He did not think of himself or at least not solely of himself but of Dominica and what Dominicans will say. This is no time for the critics to put him down. How would they have done if they were in his position?
congratulation young man. to the dominica govt. build more decent sporting arenas. trcak and field, soccer, basket-ball, cricket etc. take sports to a better level. running on the street from roseau to st.joe is totally different
Let’s be real. Erison Hurtault’s seasons best of 46.05 in the qualifying heats was beaten even by “blade runner” Oscar Pistorius from S.Africa, the man with the carbon-fibre legs,who did 45.44, which got him into the semi-finals.
Hurtault also ran for us four years ago in Bejing over the same distance, where he came 34th. in the final rankings. We have invested in him ever since and he even spent a week at the Univ. of Surrey’s Spectrum Centre in Guildford (U.K.) in Sept. of last year, together with jumper Brendan Williams from Roseau. Up to £25,000 (0ver $400,000 was made available by the London 2112 organisers for each country using to this training facility. Erison did not run just for the glory of Diminica. He was paid,
Correction: £25,000 = over $100,000.
good effort..but i find he on the circuit too long not to qualify for the semi…
thanks Erison…we could have not ask more from a son of dominica…u make us proud
Erison you have made us all proud! To God be the glory!
Fr. Esprit FMI
Im just happy dominica was represented At all. The more press The better. You win some, you loose win some. Better luck next year.
Better luck NEXT YEAR??? May bon diay!!!!
Thank You little brother for representing our country. We were bursting with excitement when we saw you guys proudly carry our flag. Don’t you get discouraged, it’s just the beginning of great things ahead for you.
Love you very much!
Dominican in Dallas TX.
just watching the races on television it does not look easy to come up as winner!
Congratulations Mr. Hurtault, you are helping set the foundation for other Dominican participation .
Mr need some serious “FLOUR PAP”
I do not know if he is one of the people running on grass in Dominica, however, people with the potential to capture gold, bonze and silver at the Olympics, are people who train year round; the shape of a body builder is not all it takes to become an Olympian.
Take for instance the Black girl Douglas, (and I hope Ian Douglass does not fool himself and believe she is from Dominica) who won her individual Gold Meddle in Gymnastics she had to sacrifice leaving her biological parents here in California, and traveled thousands of miles away from home to another State where she secured the right training which took years!
That commitment paid off; as a result here face is now on Kellogg Corn flakes, only the American greatest get their faces on Kellogg boxes.
It is said, and anticipated that she will net more than ten million dollars for the next eight years in endorsements.
She is only a kid mind you!
Another example, there is this guy born in Somalia, grew up in England he is running for England, he qualified with the fastest time lasts night, all of his training took place here in the United States, sometimes one have to go to places where the conditions are better suited for training, if they wish to be successful.
In Dominica, I doubt there is a single track for any Dominica hopeful to train on. Now we have; they say a sports stadium: indeed we have no facilities where any Dominica Olympic hopeful can train, so all of this hoopla talk and excuse he is making about injuries, is nothing more than an excuse in order to save face.
We saw a South African, sprinter a bobble amputee ran and came in second qualifying; this man ran on artificial titanium metal legs, and out run able-bodied men, so what this Dominica boy is talking about his past injuries are simply an excuse; there is an American who is almost as fast as the fast human alive from Jamaica, who had hip surgery recently, who ran like a jet last night, he came in first in his race.
So, there is no excuse man, you lost, you fail to qualify, that’s it; you are only human, and by the way the guy who ran faster than the man on artificial legs is from the Dominican Republic.
Their is nothing wrong with a failure: if a man falls to the ground, and decides to remain there believing he cannot rise from the dust that means he has given up and there is no hope for him, however, some of the most successful people in life are those who have failed many times in the past.
But, as everything else where it pertains to our people we must have something to blame it on for our lack of success and productivity!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Why was my comment not placed on the front burner. Did I say anything Wrong about Coach Hamilton?? oh My u people are so gullible eh.
Admin Please respond to this. at least my email is there, so u can send a reply directly and ask me to retract.
Just knowing and seeing my DA people taking part in the olympics bring great joy to my heart. My country is being recognized.Glory to God!Better luck next time Erison I am very proud of the effort made.
thanks for representing Dominica, you did your best
My Boy, doe dig!is so we stay,we barbeya for any and every thing,the bottomline is more people support you and your effort for your parents country, which is also yours by extention.
like marley would say;You can’t get anywhere,without starting somewhere and you choose the best place to start in representing DA.
ON behalf of my disgrunted and so divided country,i want to thanks you for dedicating your precious time to represent the nature isle with our queen of speed luan
Well done my man.
I have said it before and will say it again. The decision to bring Erisson to the Olympic was a very poor one by the DOC. He clearly was not ready and knows that he was not ready to compete at that level, but chose to go “just to be there”. Brendan Williams would have been a better choice to compete in the High Jump. He was on the verge of a huge breakthrough and could have made the finals in the HJ, instead he was left home. The article said that he will bring a medal to Dominica; all the best with that, but as someone who follows track and field, I would suggest that the DOC and the DAAA start investing in other athletes. Erisson has done all that he can do/will do and should move on. The definition of Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Let’s not become insane. Erisson thanks for your representation at the Games in 2008 and 2012, but please be honest with yourself and Dominica.
Exactly
so why is 2 athletes alone they can invest in?? we should have invest more in our youth not decide between 2 ppl? stchupes. nonesense. if the other guy was ready then they should have allowed him to go too
Congratulations Erison Hurtault: However, If he had a chance to win, maybe he would be running for the US and not DA.
However, take this is a serious link we need not ignore.
Who says the journey ends for Mr. Hurtualt? It has just began. The Olympics is not the only place he can make the country proud. There are numerous other international meets coming up where he will have enough opportunities to redeem himself. The fact that he was deeply sadden by his performance may serve to inspire him to do the impossible. Hold your head up high Mr. Hurtualt
Dominica does not have one young man we could use from home because all are smoking marijuana???
Congratulation for getting that far representing
DA made us proud. If at first you don’t succeed try try try again. We know you did your best next
time all will be good.
We LOVE YOU ERISON HURTAULT thank you for representing. WE also love our PM” THANK YOU SIR for taking the country to another level. There is no difference except our people are too dam hypocrite and ultra wicked. Now who the cap fit I am ready to count you all out. Vent, Vent, and feel good you`re entitled to do that. Remember what` good for the Goose is good for the Gander choose your poison. I AM DOMINICAN ARE YOU?????
Oh, please get a life. Sounding like a complete simpleton lmao!
Gkmsyda,cool runings.
Dominica has participated in the Olympics since 1996 in Atlanta with 6 athletes. We’ve been in Sydney (2000) with 2 athletes, Athens (2004) with 2 athletes and Beijing (2008) with two athletes and 6 officials. So!!
Obviously you are too FREE.
I blame the DOC and the locals that don’t take sports serious in Dominica..
That is so true look at Jamaica and Trinidad they do but we dont it’s time that our Govt spend some funds into getting out athletes ready for the Pannam Games and the Olympic we have to train hard and think big we have men and wemen who can do it, The young man tried his best for us and we must appreciate it for what it was.
i congratulate u my brother u did excellent, many of us cud hav reach this far for our country but as an athlete i can tell u guys that we don’t get the support in athletics from businesses and governments, we do our own thing to get to where ever we hav to go, we need better trainin facilities to reach that far, we delicate our time after work or classes or watever we go for a livin, go to practice put our all into it just to get nowhere. its not right. and this is not jus athetics i an sayin this for all football, basketball, netball. we need the proper trainin facility here. it hav pple that can run as fast as bolt maybe not that fast but at list can be 2nd, or 3rd.
Thank you for representing Dominica at the highest of sporting levels Mr. Hurtault, your presence made us proud.
Is it just me! I am proud that Dominica is represented but do you guys realize if he was among the best performers in the US he wouldn’t have represented Dominica. He would have been representing the the USA. I know I will receive thumbs down but I you all hearts you know it’s the truth.
What you know… Do u know him and his family!! SMH.DON’T TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT.
Good Job Erison!!
I’m glad somebody realized that.
Not only ‘in our hearts that we know it’s true’ but it has been reported that he tried out for the US Olympic Team and did not qualify. But the fact is that he represented our country and deserves our support.
Congratulations, Mr Hurtault. Over 200 nations and more than 10 000 athletes participated in the 2012 Olympics. Everyone isn’t going to win a medal. After all, there are only 302 events in 26 sports. Only 60 nations have won medals, to date.
Let’s note, also, that our Olympics pioneers were
Jerome Romaine, Dawn Williams, Hermin Joseph, Cedric Harris,Stephen Agar and Woodrow Lawrence, who participated in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Jerome made the finals in triple jump and Dawn made the semi finals in the 800 meter race. So we have the potential to win medals. Let’s keep at it. Good luck to Luan.
Where are these athletes today?
So you checking if he had make de US team he would be in London yanking instead eh… A strong, ” Oh say can you seeee..” rather than ” Isles of beauty..” hmmmm, look thing eh.
yo are funny but right
Just like anyone of us who doesn’t have their bread buttered on both sides.
I wasn’t born with a golden spoon in my mouth so if the US, UK, France or any of the other prominant wealthy nations offered me a spot on their team and I was eligible,I’d seize it with both hands. I guess that’s the benefits of dual nationality.
Would any right-thinking Dominican born either here or abroad play for 2011 League Champions Signman X-Men if they got an offer to play for Boston Celtics?
Man you just was brave enough to say it. But majority of us know it’s the truth. And those who never thought of it are now thinking of it since reading your comments
Right now I myself is shaking my head (SMH)
well if its ‘last off the field” then, of all things, that’s what to report? come on.
The point is, that the young man should be commended !!
A comparison was then made to how the reporter wrote about the other athlete. so I think , (and I am entitled to have an opinion), that there is bias in the writing. If one person can deduce this message , then it is poor reporting!!
How much did Dominica really invested him because from all account he does not live in Dominica. So we should be proud that he was even there. Way to Go Hurtault!!!!!
clearly u cant read properly or ur simply being mischievous. The article clearly states that he receives a monthly stipend from the GOCD. Stop embarrassing urself.
Erison, be proud of your effort. You did your best with what you had and that’s all that matters. Hopefully, we can keep on giving you the support needed to go even further next time. We are proud of you as a native son… Keep your head up brother!!!
He was actually doing well until toward the end. He ran well, congrats Erison
I was just happy to see D/A flag there. Good job. See you in 4 more years
man we are proud of you even without a medal you brought us this far CONGRATULATIONS
he did his best i’m proud that he repsented Dominica hope he does better the next time around
Thanks for your effort Erisson. We are proud that you represented us. We are behind you always.
u did man you made no gold but we a proud of u in jersey and dominica my brother
I am very disappointed by the reporting of this young man’s performance. It is clear that the reporter demonstrates favoritism in his writing and this should not be!! Based on the reporting,one can infer that Mr.Telemaque is a fan of Luan. Unquestionable, it is historic and great that Luan has gotten this far and has potential to do better and we must support her.I too am extremely proud of her but it is rather daunting that Erison’s represention is clearly undermined.
Although Erison’s time was briefly mentioned in the report, to me, it was not highlighted that this young man performed his best for this year!!!HE represented Dominica the best way he could. And that is commendable!!UNLIKE WHAT WAS REPORTED, HE DID NOT PLACE LAST, HE PLACED FIFTH OF SEVEN COMPETITORS.notwithstanding his failure to qualify to the next roud, the positive should be reflected as opposed to the the negative!!
This comment will be validated after Mr Telemaque reports the results of Monday’s performance.
What exactly did you read that others did not?
Unfortunately we all are not equipped with the intelligence of reading through lines..or making a holistic analysis of a piece of writing.
Impartial, please read the article again before passing judgement. Nowhere did Mr Telemacque say that Mr Hurtault placed last. He said that Mr Hurtault was the last off the field after losing (obviously and “f” was missing as it should have read “off”), obviously as a result of his disappointment. The article clearly states that recent injuries contributed to Mr Hurtault’s inability to qualify. I don’t know the parties involved but I definitely saw no bias. Why are we so quick to interpret things negatively? From your post especially the last statement it appears you have a bias. Mr Telemacque thanks for your fair and balance reporting. I have enjoyed reading your updates.
I am not the reporter!! so I am entitled to having bias if i choose to do so,If I were to report, that would be a different story.
well if its ‘last off the field” then, of all things, that’s what to report? come on.
The point is, that the young man should be commended!
A comparison was then made to how the reporter wrote about the other athlete. so I think , (and I am entitled to have an opinion), that there is bias in the writing. If one person can deduce this message , then it is poor reporting!!
I do not see any bias in Mr Telemacque’s reporting. I have been following his commentaries from day one and its commendable. Mr Hurtualt did us as a country well, this piece of writing even brought tears to my eyes. Only if we Dominicans would take pride in being ambassadors and make the necessary efforts in representing our country as well as he did then that would be awesome… Congrats Ericson.. your effort at the games was tremendous.. do not be so hard on yourself.
This was a typo. Instead of “last of the field”, it should have read “last on the field”.
@ impartial. You may be intelligent enough to be able to read through lines. but our common sense allows us to read through you.
Mr/Miss Impartial or shall I cal you ( impractical) Dominican, I think you did not read the same report which everyone else have read.
Your comments derive from a personal grudge: jealously, you wish it was you who had the opportunity to write such simply comments which you read and do not comprehend.
You need to cool out because your rage, anger, and jealousy are protruding from your comments.
Leave the kid alone man he is no bother to you; if you believe he is misrepresenting your hero, I am sure if you can produce some comments more favorable to your hero, than Darwin’s comments DNO I am sure will allow your comments.
So here is your opportunity to shine; show us what you got: show us your writing skills and abilities.
You know during the last Cricket Test in Dominica, I sat here in Los Angeles, California, and listened to the Dominica commentators, along with some American friends, and while we were enjoying the game, and enjoying our Dominica rum drinking day which I the bad kid from Wesley introduce them to; the only time they understood the Dominica commentators was when Darwin commented.
Could it be that: (us, we kids) from the mud of Wesley are endowed with a special gift of an accent, smooth and clear that are easily understood?
And we are good at writing too; don’t let your dislike of a person drive you crazy, it just does not worth it!
Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
Sorry Winston I intended to responded to the person with no name, ” to the bias impartial Dominica jealous kin or queen oui!”
FET.
Come on man, he is getting paid to represent Dominica and the fact is he came last in his heat. He did not make the U.S.A. team and that’s why we got him instead. We should nurture our own like Jamaica. They do terrific for such a small country.
Playing smart and not being clever. Try reading and understanding before you respond.
We (true Dominicans) appreciate the effort and hope that better preparation will aid in more competitive results leading up to Brazil 2016.
Great effort! Much respect to you!!
HOW COME HE WAS BORN IN THE us nd is considerd a DOMINICAN (which is OK with me) but a man BORN here is branded a FRENCHMAN? Tell e soemeone please!!
Well i guess, if a chinese man is born in dominica is he a dominican?
What you are saying makes no sense. Learn to articulate your ideas and maybe you will get answers to enlighten your brain.
But nonetheless let me educate you. If a US citizen for example has a child in D
What you are saying makes no sense. Learn to articulate your ideas and maybe you will get answers to enlighten your brain.
But nonetheless let me educate you. If a US citizen for example has a child in Dominica with a local, even though the child is born in Dominica and considered Dominican by virtue of his one parent being a US citizen, he is also considered a US citizen. So though born in DA he is still a US citizen. So even of HURTAULT was born in the US by virtue of his parents being Dominican he can claim Dominican citizenship.
According to Dominican law (and some other Caribbean countries) you are a D/can up to the second generation. Which means that if you were born in DA; down to your grand children are considered D/can and is eligible for DA passport.
By virtue of the fact that his parents are DOMINICANS he is a DOMINICAN!!! that was stated in a previous article.
He may not have been born in Dominica, but both his parents were. That in it self contributes him as Dominican. Duh!!
The very same way Felix Sanchez was born in the US and was educated there but represents the Dominican Republic. Just be grateful that there is an elite athlete who has the pride and passion to represent his roots country when there are others at home who do not have the facilities to reach that standard of competition.
Hope MR Haurtault does not intend to run for office in Dominica some time in the future,because my fellow Dominicans would flip flop and bring back Ron Green to question where he was born. Man, my people and their politics?SMH, The poison politics has some of them Brain Dead and blind regarding the real issues. Pray! Pray! for they know who they are. God is good all the time. All the time God is Good. PS” Note, I am not even GREEN,BLUE,RED,OR BLACK. I just call it as I see it and who vex too bad or ES”.PROP you`re dead right! Peace!
Geez…can’t you stop playing these little boy politcs for at least a second? smdh
Hold your head up bruh, you have made it to one of grandest stages in sports. Congratulations on your accomplishment and I’m looking forward to seeing you at the next world games.
Just competing in the Olympics is good enough. You made us very proud.
On the other hand, this report is horribly written. Couldn’t Telemaque do a better job? Couldn’t DNO re-write the report to meet its standard?
we still love you for your effort good try with you all the way next time in any anther compitition may god continue to give you strength and bless you
You did your best and that is all that matters. Just being able to compete with some of the best is an incredible experience and we are proud of you. Thank you for representing our country…next time we will be better prepared and we WILL get a medal through the grace of God.
well u did ur best