Beirut: The organisers of the Batroun Triathlon 2013 have changed its name to ‘Roy Nasr’ Batroun Triathlon in commemoration to the Lebanese worldwide triathlon champion who died in an accident in Dubai on Friday.
The former champ and triathlete, 49-year-old Roy Nasr won the 2012 race of Batroun Triathlon — an annual event held in Lebanon’s northern seaside village of Batroun.
“Roy had registered his name in this year’s triathlon and was scheduled to participate in the race on September 29,” Nasr’s cousin Najib Nasr told Gulf News on Tuesday. “He won last year’s race and was running up for 2013’s event. Since the sad and tragic news broke on Friday, the organizers decided to rename the triathlon as Roy Nasr Batroun Triathlon in a sign of tribute and commemoration. He was a worldwide champ and deserves such an accolade.’’
“May he rest in peace, Roy was an unbelievably rare and indescribable character of his kind… he was such a humble, gentle, sporty and joyful person. He was a very close friend, cousin and an inspiring athlete to myself and others,” Najib said.
Roy Nasr, who cofounded TriDubai, is survived by his wife, Tina, and two children. He hails from Al Mina of the seaside port city of Tripoli in north Lebanon.
A prosecution source told Gulf News that the driver was questioned over the accident on Saturday and entered a guilty plea to drunken and reckless driving that caused Roy’s death near Safa Park.
A famous Lebanese triathlete and champion himself, Najib said he followed Roy and his worldwide achievements through the media.
“It was sheer coincidence that we discovered that we are cousins and that only happened last year,” he said. “It’s true that we have the same family name, but Nasr’s are a big family in Lebanon. Roy left Lebanon more than 25 years ago. Last year I received a call — it was Roy. As I was one of the organisers, he asked to be registered in the Batroun Triathlon 2012. We chatted over the phone and I asked him where he hailed from. When he said from Tripoli, we started narrowing down the relatives’ names until we realissed that we are cousins. Since that day, we became very close friends. We did sports together. Roy and I went to Thailand and we participated in the Half-Ironman competition. He was an extraordinary sportsman,” said 48-year-old Najib.
Nothing could be said about Roy to describe him because he was ‘indescribable’ and everyone adored him, according to the cousin.
Moreover Najib criticised the Lebanese sport authorities and the triathlon federation for being so late in announcing an obituary about Roy’s sad demise.
“It’s a pity and shameful how the authorities were nearly four days late in marking his death. Roy was a worldwide champ. Wherever and whenever he participated in triathlons or ironman competitions, he represented and raised the name of Lebanon. It’s really appalling how the outgoing Youth and Sports Minister announced his demise on Monday evening,” Najib said.
