Durly Lucas, the father of 400 metres bronze medallist Josanne Lucas, was all smiles yesterday at his workplace at Shaw Park, Tobago.
Lucas, a security guard employed with the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT), said when he spoke to his daughter before the race he knew glory would have been brought to this country.
’I would have communicated with her prior to the race, so I always knew based on her statement she would have been doing well today. She said ’keep on praying for me, I am going to run my heart out today’,’ a beaming Lucas said.
Lucas said the future looks bright for his daughter as she has a break from school and can now focus all her energies on athletics. He said she was not 100 per cent ready for the Olympics last year, but has maintained an injury-free year thus far in 2009.
’She is just going to concentrate on track for the time being, hopefully leading up to 2012. We have given her the commitment to support her. I guess now she would be supporting herself.’
This is any father’s dream, Lucas said. He knew Josanne would have made it on the world stage someday, but did not know it would have been this year. However as happy as he is at this time he was disappointed he did not clearly see the race.
’I did not have a very good connection and we have no coverage, so I was not getting good streaming. I only saw the introduction of the race,’ he said.
Tobago House of Assembly Chief Secretary Orville London showered praises on Josanne for making Tobago proud.
’I think one thing she personifies is discipline and persistence, and the fact that she reached this level is an example to all young Tobagonians,’ he said.
London said Josanne was an athlete who  always had the right attitude that all nationals should emulate. He also took time to wish the best to Rennie Quow.
’I also want to wish the best to Rennie Quow, who is into the 400 metres final today, he did quite well in the semi finals. Hope he wins medals for Trinidad and Tobago, and brings additional glory to Tobago,’ he said.
