Sprinter Attard eager to leave her mark

Over the past four years, the Malta Amateur Athletic Association have excelled where other local governing bodies of sport have generally struggled to achieve - keeping their sport on a winning track despite a regeneration of athletes in the national squad.

With several established performers in the twilight of their careers, the MAAA acted swiftly to ensure that the chain of successes was not broken by investing heavily on the youth set-up.

After San Marino 2001, the MAAA went through a transition with the introduction of its young fledglings for the 2003 Games which were held in Malta.

That process was intensified two years later when another crop of track athletes were selected in the squad for Andorra. Surprisingly, the medal flow continued with the MAAA chalking up no fewer than 33 medals in the last two editions of the Games.

Charlene Attard was among the 'newcomers' and looked at as a potential future GSSE champion in sprints. The MAAA predictions seem set to be fulfilled what with the Pembroke runner's impressive form of late.

Attard, 20, has just established herself as Malta's no.1 sprinter, setting new national marks in both the 100 and 200 metres events during the 2007 MAAA National Championships.

The most remarkable of those feats was the time recorded in the 100m when she became the first female to break the 12-second barrier after clocking 11.93 seconds.

Two years ago in Andorra, Attard returned home with three bronze medals following her exertions in the 200m and 4x100m and 4x400 relays. On that occasion she also finished sixth in the 100m. However, this time around she is aiming to improve her performance after an injury-free run-in to the Games.

"I'm really looking forward to Monaco," Attard told The Times.

"My preparation has been much better than two years ago. In 2005, I was hampered by an ankle injury that severely affected my challenge. But this time, I'm going to the Games in much better shape.

"My coach, Leandros Calleja, has put me through a rigorous training programme. It was designed to help me reach peak form in time for Monaco. That is essential as my main target is to be among the leading contenders in both sprint races."

Attard, however, is aware that her bid of striking gold in Monaco will face a strong challenge from the dominant Cypriots.

"Cyprus will again be the team to beat in sprints," Attard admitted.

"From what we've learnt lately it seems that they are coming to Monaco with a very strong team.

"But at the end of the day, medals are won on the track and not on personal statistics. Obviously, I give importance to every race I compete in, but I have to admit that I'd love to win a medal in my favourite race, the 200m."

Steady progress

Attard has been involved in athletics since the age of six when she started attending SkolaSport. Since then, she has been progressing steadily through the different age groups and, inevitably, she has built a healthy rivalry with another budding sprinter, Diane Borg.

This season, Attard and Borg were engaged in a long-running duel for the 60m national record which saw them setting a series of national bests over the shorter sprint.

"Diane is another good sprinter," Attard said. "I have to admit that our rivalry on the track has been very fruitful for both as we pushed each other to higher levels all the time.

"In the run-up to the Games she had some niggling injury problems but I hope she regains full fitness because Diane is a crucial member in our relay team."

In Andorra 2005, one of the most memorable moments for the MAAA was the men's 4x100m victory achieved in a new national mark. Since then, the men's quartet lost Jeandre Mallia but they can still rely on Darren Gilford, Mario Bonello and Raschid Chouhal.

The prospects in the women's relays seem much rosier as Attard and Borg will be joined by the exceptional talent of Francesca and Martina Xuereb, Lara Scerri and Therese Mallia.

The MAAA contingent in Monaco will also include seasoned campaigner Carol Walsh, Lisa Bezzina and Mark Herrera in longer distances.

The MAAA's hopes in field events rest on Jean Paul Callus (javelin) and Antonella Chouhal (discus). Both improved the national record in their discipline a few weeks ago at Marsa.