Oliver Mangion, an 11-year-old swimmer with a disability who completed a two-kilometre swim at Razzett tal-Hbiberija’s indoor pool in 57 minutes and 10 seconds on 2 August, yesterday managed to swim three kilometres in about an-hour-and-a-half.
During this feat, Oliver showed that nothing is impossible when you believes in yourself – as he himself told the media before diving into the Razzett tal-Hbiberija pool where he has been training three times a week since the age of five.
Before he dived into the water to begin his marathon swim, Oliver was given a round of applause by everyone present, including acting Prime Minister Tonio Borg, who went to the pool to demonstrate his support for the boy.
According to Oliver, Razzett tal-Hbiberija is “a very good place”, and he added that attempting the three-kilometre swim in aid of the Razzett meant a lot to him.
His father, Ray Mangion, said that what the Razzett tal-Hbiberija staff do is irreplaceable and Oliver’s trainer has grown to love him like his own son. Mr Mangion added that the event is the family’s and Oliver’s own way of saying thank you to Razzett tal-Hbiberija, where Oliver – along with over 1,200 other people with a disability – make use of its educational, therapeutic and leisure facilities free of charge.
Oliver was born with severe deformities to all four limbs and since birth has undergone countless reconstructive surgical procedures.
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His disability is an extremely rare chromosome abnormality and only one other boy, who lives in Portugal, is known to have the same condition.
According to Oliver’s parents, he has already set his sights on another exploit, that of swimming across the Maltese Channel. They are sure that he can do it, although Mrs Mangion showed clearly that she is already worrying about an event outside the environs of the Razzett’s pool. However, Oliver’s ultimate dream is that of participating in the 2012 London Paralympics, by which time he will be 16-and-half years old.
Anyone who would like to support Oliver’s achievement and Razzett tal-Hbiberija can send an SMS to 5061-7359 to donate Lm1, 5061-8080 to donate Lm2 and 5061-8926 to donate Lm3. Cheques made payable to Razzett tal-Hbiberija can be sent to Razzett tal-Hbiberija c/o Oliver’s Challenge, Zinzell Street, Marsascala.