Small States of Europe championships awarded higher status

The European Small States Triathlon Championships were recently granted an 'international status' by the International Triathlon Union (ITU). This was announced by Malta Triathlon Association president Emmanuel Azzopardi during the event's launching at the Birkirkara Local Council.

The new standing means that those figuring in the fourth edition of the championships tomorrow morning at the Salina Coast Road, could earn vital points that count for participation in top competitions like the World Championships and even the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

"Without doubt, this is a great boost for the championships. The organisers are now in a position to attract more entries and, perhaps, some top names in triathlon as well," Azzopardi said.

"The championships are now truly international."

Azzopardi said his federation will still try to promote triathlon as much as possible to gain entry into the GSSE.

"We were disappointed that triathlon was not included in the GSSE calendar next month. But now we have a good chance to show how popular our sport is as we seek to convince GSSE organisers to take triathlon in the reckoning for the next edition in Andorra 2005."

Seven out of eight GSSE nations are in favour of having triathlon in the games. The only ones to stay out are San Marino. They do not have an organised triathlon federation so far.

Meanwhile, the international status boost was also good news for Malta champions, Maria Mifsud Bonnici and Dermot Galea, who were planning to race abroad this summer in search of useful ranking points.

"Now our top triathletes will have a race on their doorstep which could yield them points for possible qualification to the Olympics," Azzopardi added.

Triathletes from four nations will be represented in tomorrow's race.

These hail from Cyprus, Luxembourg, Monaco and host country Malta.

Apart from Galea and Mifsud Bonnici, the Malta selection will also include Marylynn Bezzina, Danica Spiteri, Nicky Farrugia and Michael Gellel.

Last year's winners Tom Carier and Jackie Komes, of Luxembourg, will be here to defend their titles.

Mugliett's backing

Minister of Youth and Arts Jesmond Mugliett, also present for the launching, said his administration was always ready to support those associations which were seriously looking to upgrade the profile of their sport.

Triathlon is a relatively small sport in Malta, he said. But when one considers the high level reached by our top contenders, then one has to applaud their effort and seek ways how to sustain this progress.

Mugliett added that the fact that the ITU will be awarding international points for the race was clearly very encouraging for the triathlon association, its athletes and the country in general.

With ranking points at stake, organisers of these championships will no longer need to rely on European small states athletes alone to attract more participants, Mugliett added.

He said this was possible since here we have an ideal climate and enough resources to hold such races.

The Olympic distance race, which enjoys the sponsorship of Powerade, Kristal Water, the Public Lotto and Kee Klamps, starts at 7.30 p.m. with a 1,500-metre swim. This will be followed by a 40km cycle and a 10km run.