Malta Olympic Committee Praises ‘Change In Mentality’ In Maltese Athletes: ‘We Want To Compete And Win!’
The Malta Olympic Committee (MOC) was all smiles following the country’s successful showing in recent high-profile challenges. One that denoted a “major change” in the mentality of local athletes.
Malta celebrated some fine results in recent weeks, which included a Commonwealth Games Bronze and a European Youth Olympic Festival Bronze for Katryna Esposito (judo) and Matthew Galea Soler (athletics) respectively.
The stand-out successes were praised, however, almost each of the 29 athletes fielded in the Commonwealth Games walked away with a win.
It seemed as though a medal haul was a long shot, but MOC President Julian Pace Bonello insisted that good results were expected, even considering the high level of the games.
In a press conference, MOC Director of Sport Charlene Attard stated that in recent times the mentality of Maltese athletes has changed from one of participation to one of competition, even among the best.
“We have made a change in our mentality. We want to compete not participate. We want to compete and win.”
Katryna Esposito won Malta’s first medal at this year’s edition of the Commonwealth Games.
Competing in the -48kg category for Judo, the 21-year-old made a major impact in her first appearance at the games, taking home the bronze medal.
There were other positive results for Malta elsewhere with Yazmin Zammit Stevens finishing sixth in the women’s 64kg weightlifting category.
At the EYOF, Matthew Galea Soler had bagged a national record-breaking time of 48.84 as he stormed through the track to become Malta’s first-ever medallist at the Games.
The medals may potentially mark a new era for sports in Malta, with new generations vying for a top spot even while mixing it up with the best.
Do you think Maltese athletes have upped their game?