DUBAI // At the first light of the early morning dozens of lanterns were sent floating into the air above Jumeirah beach in tribute to a much loved triathlete who was killed in a car accident.
More than 100 members of the TriDubai group took part in the Roy Nasr Memorial Swim in the early hours of Saturday.
They had gathered as early as 5.30am to prepare and as the lanterns floated above the waves and out to sea other curious beachgoers took pictures and looked on.
“This is a really good way of remembering Roy because he played such an important role in helping and inspiring other people,” said Victoria Arscott, from the UK, who joined TriDubai a year ago.
“I had known Roy a little since 2005 because we had worked at the same company previously.
“I was looking for a triathlon group and met up with Roy and he suggested I try TriDubai. His real passion was to encourage others as much as he could no matter what their background was.”
Although it was a sad day for many of those attending, the atmosphere at the event was upbeat.
“I think Roy would not have liked people to be down,” said Ms Arscott. “He was such an inspiration to people. “I only knew him properly for about a year but there are some people here who have been friends with him for 20 odd years.
“We are a strong group of people and we are helping one another to get through this period.”
Mr Nasr, 49, a Lebanese expatriate, died after he was hit by a car driven by a drunk driver as he cycled with friends near Safa Park on September 6.
Last Monday, a Filipino man confessed at the Dubai Traffic Court to five charges: causing death, risking a person’s safety, damaging property, drunk driving and illegal consumption of alcohol. He was remanded in custody until the verdict, which is due tomorrow.
A minute’s silence was also held before the club members took to the water for the swim.
“This is the perfect way to celebrate Roy’s life,” said Teody Palma, from the Philippines, who joined the group 18 months ago.
“Seeing the lanterns flying across the sky was very touching. I didn’t know Roy that well but he certainly inspired and pushed me to be the best I could.”
Briton Simon Kelly had been a friend of Roy’s for about two years but was out of the country when he heard of his death. “At first when I read it I thought it was a mistake and the story was wrong,” he said.
“It was shocking to hear what had happened.
“Roy had this amazing ability to become friends with anybody he met and you can see that reflected out here today with so many people coming out this morning.”
An abiding memory of Roy was his desire to promote the sport as much as he could, said Mr Kelly.
Richard Moodley, from Ireland, found out about the group on Facebook. “I’m only in town for a short period but I wanted to join a triathlete group while I was here,” he said.
“I didn’t really know Roy but you can see by the number of people and the fact that they are from so many different backgrounds what he meant to people.
“I want to send out my condolences to his family and friends.
“Triathletes are a very sociable bunch of people and they are accepting of others and I really hope that this group can grow and become stronger in future.”
Free Roy Nasr Memorial TriDubai towels were handed out to those who attended and people could make donations to a memorial fund. The towels will also be sold in shops for about Dh100.
The Roy Nasr Memorial Super Sprint and Sprint Triathalon takes place at Jebel Ali Gold Hotel on October 12 and is already sold out.
The winner of the race will be awarded a special memorial trophy in Nasr’s honour.
