Dubai: Canadian-born fitness legend Charles Poliquin is seriously weighing the prospect of opening a teaching facility at Dubai Sports City (DSC).
The strength coach and sports nutrition expert, who has coached Olympic medallists in 17 different sports and world record holders in 10 different sports, visited DSC as he looked into the possibility of expanding his US-based business.
Academy plans
Speaking to XPRESS during his two-day visit to the city, Poliquin, who has coached the likes of former Olympic 100m gold medallist Donovan Bailey and Olympic long jump gold medallist Dwight Phillips, said: "First and foremost, I am looking at Dubai as a base for an academy. I have eight in the US and one each in Ireland and Australia. Dubai would be a logical choice next. Geographically it's virtually at the centre of the world and the infrastructure is very good."
Poliquin paid a visit to the Dubai Cricket Stadium facilities and believes there's a lot that can be done in cricket. "I saw a demonstration of the potential there. I hope to open a teaching facility since there's so much to do in cricket. As a strengh coach and nutrition expert I can change the way players approach the game," he said, adding: "Look at fast bowlers for instance. Their action is somewhat like that of a javelin thrower. Both use their shoulders a lot and I can use my experience with javelin throwers to make them stronger and last longer."
Poliquin said the combination of outstanding facilities and a mild winter climate made Dubai a thoroughly appealing prospect for sports teams and sports medicine.
"Dubai can offer a superb off-season facility for US teams. When the weather is nicest here the big money sports like American football are off in our winter. This would be a great place for them to come. I can also see athletes from New Zealand and England flocking to this facility for off-season training," he said.
But while he is very keen to set up a base in Dubai, he also sees the virtues of patience.
"In business you have to outwit your competitors and I think here is a good place to get a headstart before it gets popular. But then I have to be patient and wait for the right moment. I will be back in January next year and maybe something more concrete will emerge," he said.
Trainee roster
Besides Bailey and Phillips, Poliquin's list of trainees include David Boston, NFL Pro Bowl wide receiver; Al MacInnis, Retired NHL defenseman, Norris Trophy winner; Joe Nieuwendyk, Florida Panthers, Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Stanley Cup winner; Chris Pronger, Anaheim Ducks, Stanley Cup winner, winner of Norris and Hart Trophies; Canadian short-track speed-skating team; Nanceen Perry, World Record Holder 4x200m; Michelle Freeman, former number 1 ranked hurdler in the World; Chris Thorpe, Olympic Silver & Bronze Medallist, Double's Luge; Adam Nelson, World Champion & two-time Olympic Silver Medallist, Shot Put and Gary Roberts, NHL player
(Roberts credits Poliquin with helping him make a successful return to the NHL after two of his previous return attempts failed due to injury)
