Nicole Gatt, aged 14, (photo), has participated at the Metaswitch Games held last Sunday at Lee Valley Athletics Indoor Track in London. Nicole’s main event was the 400m which she won in 60.61s but also placed third in her 60m race, prior to this.

Locally, there is neither an indoor track or any track races available so Nicole’s participation was essential in keeping her condition at par to international standards requested for her age.

In 2011, Nicole won medals in the longer sprints up to 400m at European Kids Games, C.O.J.I., FISEC Games and GSSE. In Liechtenstein, during the final 400m race, she tipped the finish line at 57.07s. No other 14 year old Maltese girl has been so fast before and this gives her an indication which direction should her long term athletic career take.

Like many other local athletes, Nicole, is mainly preparing for the 2012 FISEC Games edition which will be held in Malta. During last year’s participation in such games, she realised that the level of performances in athletics is really getting better. The opponents Nicole will have to face at FISEC Games are already testing their abilities at indoor events all around Europe; so it was important not to shy away

from racing at this time of the year.