Maltese athletes eagerly waiting for start of competition today

Malta’s contingent of 30 athletes taking part in this year’s championships in Iceland, are now eagerly waiting for the start of the competition today.

Malta’s contingent of 30 athletes taking part in this year’s championships in Iceland, are now eagerly waiting for the start of the competition today.

After a long and tiring 10-hour trip which brought the whole contingent from Malta to Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, the athletes were yesterday training on a track about 20 minutes away from where they are accommodated – the Grand Hotel.

While the athletes were training in the afternoon, Group leader Maurice Spiteri, his assistant Valerie Farrugia and coach Mario Micallef attended a technical meeting ahead of tomorrow’s start.

The competition – at the Reykjavik Stadium - is being held over two days – today and tomorrow. The Opening Ceremony is to start at 11.45am (1.45pm Malta time).

Coach Mario Bonello said the athletes were looking forward to another good show after the brilliant results at the Games for European Small States.

However, he said it would be even more difficult here. He explained: “This year, our athletes have been focussed on the GSSE. Now that this event is coming just a short period of time after they ended, it will be difficult to have our boys and girls at their peak, as they were for the GSSE.

“Despite everything, we always believe that surprises are never lacking. We have other athletes who have not been to the Liechtenstein Games and their focus has been on these Championships. I am sure they will be eager to get good results.”

Diane Borg, the queen of Maltese athletics after winning two gold medals and a silver medal at the GSSE in Liechtenstein, will be doing her best to repeat the dose here.

She said: “I wish to be successful here as well. But I am aware it will be more difficult. The level here will certainly be higher. But I will be doing my best in the hope of registering some more good results.”

Earlier in the week, Athletics Malta president Anthony Chircop, who is not with the squad here, told the press in Malta that Malta’s aim was to maintain last year’s ninth place and perhaps, improve if possible by one rung in this year’s standings.