The Maltese Olympic Committee distributed the bonuses pledged to the successful athletes of the Liechtenstein Games at a reception to celebrate the achievements at the Waterline Restaurant in Marsascala on Wednesday evening.

MOC president Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco praised all the athletes for their efforts before and during the Games and added that their results proved to be remarkable achievements.

He added that all Malta was proud of them and added that he was sure that they will now be looking forward to improve.

“Gone are the days when we would have been happy with, perhaps, one gold medal, one silver and two bronze. Today we are disappointed to be missing more medals for fractions of a second. Nonetheless, the improvement is there for all to see and it has certainly been remarkable.”

He thanked all of them and the officials for having made all Malta so proud last year.

Mark Cutajar, MOC Director of Sport, was also beaming as he not only thanked the athletes, but also congratulated those who had recently been honoured during the sporting contests.

He went on to say that the MOC was now looking ahead towards the Olympic Games in London where, however, there will only be a token contingent.

He also added that the MOC had already started preparing for the events taking place in 2013 – the Games for European Small States in Luxembourg and the Mediterranean Games. These two events are to lead the athletes towards the Commonwealth Games the year after.

Athletes who won a gold medal were presented with €1,200, those who won a silver medal received €600, and those with a bronze medal €300.

The relay team members received €350 each.