Yvan Gallay prepares to run in Gold Coast Marathon in honour of his brother Florian Gallay

The brother of a Frenchman who collapsed near the Gold Coast Marathon finish and died has returned a year on for a stunning emotional tribute to his sibling. Read his exclusive interview

The brother of a Frenchman who collapsed near the Gold Coast Marathon finish and later died has returned one year on to finish the race on his sibling’s behalf.

In one of the more emotional stories of this weekend’s record Gold Coast Marathon festival, s 34-year-old Florian Gallay’s brother Yvan will lace up on Sunday for the 42.2km gutbuster. Florian died after collapsing in the final 100 metres of the race last year.

The French National was competing before he had a medical episode and collapsed just short of the finish line.

First responders rushed to his aid and gave him CPR before he was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition. Florian passed away while in hospital.

Yvan - on the Gold Coast with family and friends to finish the race in tribute - thanked the first responders for “doing everything they could” to help him at the time.

“We will never forget your kindness and dedication,” he said.

“I would like to thank the organisers and all the team for the exceptional work.”

Jean-Luc Gallay (father) and Yvan Gallay (brother), hold the photo tributes presented to them at the spot where French marathon entrant Florian Gallay died on course last year at the Gold Coast marathon. Picture Glenn Hampson

Mr Gallay said it was an “honour” to be on the Gold Coast and participate in the full marathon on Sunday in memory of his brother.

His wife, Emeline Gallay, father, Jean-Luc Gallay, and friends from France were also preparing to run in Sunday’s events.

“He was an accomplished athlete excelling in boxing, running, hiking and cycling,” he said.

“He was always pushing his limits and living by his favourite motto – ‘no pain, no gain’.

“His passion and determination have always inspired me, and it is with great emotion I am here today in his honour.”

Florian was one of two men who collapsed during the marathon last year with Elanora dad, Cameron Lloyd, ending up in hospital in a critical condition after a cardiac arrest.

He has continued to recover.

Sister in Law Emeline Gallay sheds a tear at a tribute presentation held for French marathon entrant Florian who died on course last year at the Gold Coast marathon. Picture Glenn Hampson

MEDICAL RESPONSE ‘WORLD-CLASS’

Gold Coast Marathon organisers have assured entrants the record-breaking event’s medical repsonse “has always been world class standard” after a fatality and near-death last year.

French national Florian Gallay collapsed in sight of the Gold Coast Marathon finish line in 2023 and later died in hospital.

It was the first time in 43 years of the event that someone had died.

Elanora father Camryn Lloyd also collapsed on last year’s course and was later diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a condition where muscles become damaged from overuse. He survived but has ongoingmedical issues.

Event Medical Director Dr Hayley Frieslich attended a specialised world athletics course in Boston this year in preparationfor the upcoming weekend’s races.

“There were some recommendations that I’ve implemented that includes rapid cooling of athletes who are suffering heatstroke,as well as ensuring that our placement of our water stations and availability of (defibrillators) meets those world athleticsstandards.”

No matter where a runner is on the course, a defibrillator is no more than four minutes away.

“I’m happy to say that those already did meet the standards when those were all reviewed. These would not have made a differencelast year.

“I would like to reassure the entire community that our medical response here at the marathon has always been world classand world standard.

“The events of last year were tragic, however, both those patients received high-class medical care from the moment they werenoted to be unwell,” she said.

Dr Frieslich also revealed how many medical professionals would be on site at this year’s event.

“In the medical tent there will be six emergency doctors and in our external team there will be three.

“There’s over 50 paramedics staged throughout the course, there is also an additional medical service to support that andin terms of nurses, they match the doctor,” she said.

Events Management Queensland CEO Ben Mannion said Dr Frieslich’s training in Boston should add to the community’s confidencein the medical support available.

“We wanted to make sure that Gold Coast Marathon is world class and to make it world class we need world-class doctors likeHayley.

“We sent Hayley over to Boston to meet with some of the best physicians around the world and having done that course now andcoming back with some of those recommendations, we immediately implemented them, made sure what she was bringing back wasworld class for us and we’re really comfortable with where we’re at with that,” he said.

Dr Frieslich said she took on the role because she loves a challenge and loves serving the community.

“I believe we are the only emergency department that supports Queensland events like this, Gold Coast University Hospitalsupports both this event and the Schoolies event.

“It means we are forward facing to our community, showing themwe care, that includes the visitors that come here to the GoldCoast, and that we can provide that best care,” she said.

Follow @CrysalFoxJour1

Originally published as Yvan Gallay prepares to run in Gold Coast Marathon in honour of his brother Florian Gallay