I would like to congratulate all the athletes and officials that made us proud in Monaco during the Small Nations Games. Our small country did manage to gain a good number of medals, even though many of the athletes felt the pressure during the last months because of their exams.

We are sorry that this situation is happening every time during these games. The Education Department is to take note and the system must be changed. I cannot see why the school authorities do not take note of the assessment reports that are published during the scholastic year in such a situation.

When I spoke with the headmaster of the school of one of the athletes, he stated that they have two choices, either to repeat the year or to re-sit for the exam.

It is a pity that not even the Malta Olympic Committee could help in such a situation, even though they made their utmost to help. Most of the athletes had to take their school books with them to Monaco to study and this is really not healthy. It was very unfair for these athletes who could not concentrate entirely on their sport.

This was an extra stress on them all and must not happen again if we want our athletes to achieve good results for our country. Maybe we lost some medals because some athletes had to bear such a stress during the competitions.

It is also very difficult for the trainers and coaches to prepare the athletes in such a situation and with such a stress. They had to fit training around the school schedule.

The Malta Olympic Committee will have to take up this matter with the Education Department immediately.

We have another two years and I am sure that an acceptable solution will be found for the benefit of our young athletes and sport in general.

Sandra Borg

Attard