Two athletes sprint down memory lane and remember their own participation in past editions of the Olympic Games. Sandy Calleja Portelli puts on her running shoes.
Mario Bonello
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Mario Bonello represented Malta in the men’s 100m twice, first in Atlanta in 1996 and then in Sydney in 2000. This year, he will be travelling to London in his capacity as coach to sprinters Diane Borg and Rachid Chouhal who are competing in the 100m.
Knowing that you are living with the top athletes in the world is almost overwhelming.
“There is no specific training regime for the Olympic Games. An athlete trains from one season to the next with a summer break lasting around two or three weeks before the season starts again in September. During the season preceding the Olympics, the aim is to clock the fastest time you can to earn the right to compete.”
There are two options to qualify for the Olympics: athletes who meet a qualifying time set by the Olympic Organising Committee are in with an automatic right to compete. However, smaller countries like ours are usually invited to choose a couple of representatives by the Organising Committee, ensuring that every country is represented at the Olympics. Thus, to be in with a chance of competing, athletes must achieve the best national times in any competition.
“Training is always tough – in 1996 I was in my fourth year at university and used to be at the track at 5.30 every morning before university and would then train again for three hours in the evening. That was a very good year for me and I was competing abroad regularly, practically travelling to events in between sitting for my final exams.
“The year 2000 was momentous for me as I got married in April. Since I was aiming to compete in Sydney, I even trained every day during my honeymoon. As luck would have it, I suffered an injury that season, meaning I had two opportunities to make the grade before the deadline in July. I made it at the last race on July 28, breaking the national record in the process. Ironically, Rachid was the favourite and my nearest rival for that coveted spot.
“Arriving at the Olympic village is indescribable. Knowing that you are living with the top athletes in the world is almost overwhelming. We were a small contingent and got along very well. Everybody was supportive and, once our races were over, we watched other events together. In the time leading up to my heat, I was totally focused on the task at hand but afterwards was able to soak up the atmosphere, enjoying the Olympic experience to the full.
“Sydney was probably my favourite edition, although I struggled to get used to the changing weather. It was extremely hot during the day and very cool in the evenings and I caught a cold soon after we arrived.
“The best part of participating in the Olympics is the support from the public – in Sydney, the sizeable Maltese-Australian community made us feel extremely welcome. My heat was scheduled for the early morning, but when I walked out onto the track, the stadium was full to the rafters and I spotted a number of Maltese flags amongst the spectators. That is truly amazing – nobody expected me to win a medal but they were still proud to see a Maltese representative and they were behind me all the way.”
Mario’s most enduring memory from the Olympic Games in Atlanta is when he was sitting near the finish line when Michael Johnson broke the world record in the 200m.
“I was sitting next to an elderly American gentleman who was looking through his binoculars when Johnson crossed the finish line in 19.32 seconds. My neighbour got extremely excited, asking me, “Am I seeing right?” It turned out that he had represented the US in the 1950s at that very same event. I will never forget that.”
“This time, I think both Rachid and Diane have a good chance of making it through the preliminary heat to compete in the first round. If they manage to make a personal best or national record, that would be an added bonus.
“I think the men’s 100m will be a closely fought race with any of the five top sprinters – Bolt, Powell, Blake, Gaitlin, Tyson and Gaye – in with a good chance of winning. France’s Christophe Lemaitre is also one to watch.”
Deirdre Farrugia
Deirde Farrugia was a member of the Maltese contingent in Barcelona in 1992, when she participated in the women’s 100m and 200m.
The best thing about being an Olympian is the support people give you. I felt it at the time but even now, people still mention my participation in Barcelona.
“Training was always tough as I used to train for two hours a day six days a week on the track and had two weekly weight training sessions. This was my training regime throughout my athletic career regardless of what championships I had scheduled in my calendar.
“Six Maltese athletes made it to Barcelona and although we came from different sporting disciplines – judo, athletics, shooting and sailing – there was a great atmosphere amongst us. We supported one another throughout and made a good team.
“I feel blessed to have had the chance of representing Malta at the Olympics – we were given a wild card entry and it was unbelievable to find myself walking among the best athletes in the world at the Olympic village.
“I had participated in international competitions before but there is nothing like being at the Olympics – everything is on a huge scale. The level of security measures in Barcelona was impressive, with metal detectors at every entry and departure point.
“My most enduring memory of the Olympic Games in Barcelona was the opening ceremony. The pride I felt to be walking behind my country’s flag, representing Malta at such an event was incredible. That pride, coupled with the sounds, the colour and the palpable excitement in the air made for an unforgettable experience. Two decades later, the memory still makes me smile.
“The competition was fierce – the Olympics bring together the best athletes from every country in the world and although I was never in with a realistic chance of winning a medal, I broke the national record, thus reaching my personal aim at the games.
“The best thing about being an Olympian is the support people give you. I felt it at the time but even now, people still mention my participation in Barcelona and I am honoured and proud at having represented my country at the Olympic Games.
“For London 2012, I hope Diane breaks the national record – she is in great form at the moment. I think William Chetcuti may surprise us all with a medal – he has great potential and there is immense pressure on his shoulders. And of course, the men’s 100m will be a great final to watch.”