From Mr D. Dalli

Now that the MOC and the government seem so satisfied and optimistic after the Beijing Olympics, I am still somewhat surprised at this outcome.

Again we have to recollect that, with all due respect, a search through the Australian sports directory was made to find athletes of Maltese origin. Yes, swimmers did manage to ‘break’ their personal best times, but where will they be in four years’ time?

I am of the opinion that the ASA, Kunsill Malti ghal-Isport and the MOC should think again of the swimming programme in Malta. I have worked closely with young swimmers as a Commissioner during preparations for the GSSE Games.

I can vouch for the immense physical and financial sacrifices Maltese swimmers and their families go through every single day of the year.

As early as 5am they’re off to the more often than not freezing unheated pool at tal-Qroqq, before they go to school or to work. They also take part in meets organised by local clubs and ASA, locally and abroad.

Years of hard training, years of expectation (GSSE, Commonwealth Games, Med Games, Olympic Games). Then, a couple of months before the team is expected to obtain personal best times, we have to face the music and find that a virtually unknown athlete from ‘down under’ is about to represent Malta. How can we encourage Maltese people to take up swimming; to work and train hard in all types of weather and endure hardships when they will simply never have a chance to wear the TeamMalta colours?

Is the motto “better to compete than win medals” a thing of the past? Are we more concerned that coming last is a disgrace? Now that London 2012 is not that far off, even as a location, I truly hope, for the sake of most Maltese athletes (of all sport disciplines), that careful consideration will be made when choosing the next Olympic contingent!

Donald Dalli

SWIEQI