On the eve of the start of the Games, Malta’s swimming squad yesterday was optimistic of obtaining some good results despite they all admitted it was going to be a very tough competition.
Coach Andy Colburn led yesterday’s morning’s training session at the Stade Louis II swimming pool.
Team manager Chris Agius told The Malta Independent that the group was confident of obtaining some good results. “Tomorrow (Tuesday) we hope to start winning some medals – one or two perhaps. Our hopes will be on Madeleine Scerri and Angela Galea, the first two swimmers in action in the pool. We are hoping that Angela will retain the gold medal she won in Andorra two years ago, but we believe it will not be easy, considering the participants in today’s final. We also have high hopes for Madeleine Scerri who seems to be in fine form after getting accustomed to the Maltese scene,” he said.
Scerri is the daughter of Maltese parents and lives in Australia. It is the first time that she is representing Malta. She said: “It is nice to be representing my country. It is very emotional and I feel happy I have been given this chance.
“I am going to do my best to improve on my past performances and hopefully, win some medals for Malta. Of course, I cannot say which colour they will be. We just have to wait and see,” she said.
Scerri said she hoped to continue representing Malta in future, also at Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and Mediterranean Games. She added: “When I get back to Australia, I will be on the lookout for more Maltese swimmers in my area.”
Madeleine will be the first Maltese in action today, taking part in the heats this morning. As is expected, she will then take part in the afternoon finals.
Angela Galea, our flag bearer, is also conscious of the fact that it will not be easy. “In the 200m butterfly, there are two new Icelandic faces who have registered good times. It will certainly be a very strong challenge for me. But I am going to do my best and hope to be on the podium. I hope to be the inspiration of all the Maltese athletes being among the first to be taking part in a final.
Neil Agius is also looking forward for a good result in the 1,500m event. He said: “There are four swimmers, and that includes me, who are close. We have all registered times which indicate there will be a battle for the honours in the pool. I just hope to be at my best on the day of the event. I am aware that only those who swim well on that day will make it to the podium.”
No Maltese male swimmer has ever made it to the podium. “If I manage to win a medal, it will be a big breakthrough for men’s swimming in Malta,” he added.