'Queen of Maltese Sport' still going strong

Among the few Maltese athletes who have distinguished themselves consistently in the Games of the Small States of Europe along the years is Carol Walsh, formerly Galea.

Her first appearance in the GSSE was way back in 1993 when the Games were held in Malta.

At the Marsa sports ground, she won two bronze medals in middle distance races before shifting to the longer 5,000m and 10,000m where she really left her mark.

So far, Walsh has won three GSSE golds, the first one in Iceland '97 in the 5,000m.

On that occasion, she left the whole field behind her to breast the tape first in 16 minutes and 54 seconds.

These last two editions of the Games, Walsh did remarkably well over 10,000m. She won the long distance race in 2003, again at Marsa, and retained the title two years ago in Andorra.

Dubbed Malta's 'Queen of Sport', Walsh, now 44, will again be in the limelight in Monaco as she ambitiously looks to improve her overall GSSE medals tally of 10. So far she won three gold, four silver and three bronze.