The Maltese Olympic Committee (MOC) yesterday unveiled the team that will represent the country in this summer’s Olympic Games between July 27 and August 12.
With William Chetcuti assured of his place in London thanks to his successful shoot in Beijing last year, attention shifted to the other names in the squad.
In the end, few surprises emerged as Mark Cutajar, MOC Director of Sport, confirmed that sprinters Diane Borg and Rachid Chouhal and swimmers Andrew Chetcuti and Nikki Muscat will be making the trip to England.
“Malta will participate in three sport, shooting, athletics and swimming,” Cutajar said.
“The selection process was straightforward. While Chetcuti is the only member in our team to have gained an automatic spot, the others succeeded in topping a qualifying process to secure a berth in the team.
“In athletics, we had Borg, Rebecca Camilleri and Charlene Attard challenging for the women’s spot but in the end Borg made the place hers after a new record in the 200m.
“Chouhal has been the dominant figure in men’s events this season. There was no doubt there.
“As for swimming, qualification was between the three who competed in the Shanghai worlds last year.
“Nikki Muscat was the only female swimmer in China and in the men’s division, Chetcuti has been selected ahead of Andrea Agius.”
Cutajar said that the MOC have applied for wild card entries in sailing and judo with those in contention being Maya Podesta and the 49er team of Benji Borg and Sebastian Ripard, and judoka Marcon Bezzina.
“We have made our request to the IOC and we’re still waiting for their response,” Cutajar said.
“It’s not going to be easy but Maya and Marcon could be granted a wild card as they formed part of the Olympic Solidarity programme.”
William Chetcuti, who has just had a week-long training camp in England, will return to the UK on June 17 for another training stint, this time at the Royal Artillery Barracks, venue of the Double Trap shoot on August 2.
Chouhal and Borg will also conduct part of their build-up in the UK while Muscat and Andrew Chetcuti will have a training camp in London a fortnight before the Games.
Julian Pace Bonello, the chef-de-mission in London, sounded pleased with preparations for the London Games.
“I was there in April and from what I’ve seen, the London organisers have done a great job,” he said.
“Rooms at the Olympic Village are very comfortable and situated in a good place for athletes to rest. As regards venues, they are of a very high standard and an ideal platform for some great competition.”
Pace Bonello said the MOC have reached an agreement with Urban Jungle to supply Team Malta with kits for the Games while Bortex have agreed to sponsor uniforms for the athletes to don in London.
The Team
• William Chetcuti (shooting)
The Double Trap ace is the only Maltese sportsman who has qualified on his own merit. For the 27-year-old this will be his third Olympics. This year he has achieved some excellent results and also won a silver medal in a World Cup shoot in Tucson, US.
• Diane Borg (athletics)
Last weekend, the 2011 GSSE gold medallist gave a clear indication that she is reaching her peak at the right moment when setting a new national record in the 200 metres. She clocked 24.15secs.
• Rachid Chouhal (athletics)
The 37-year-old seems to have rediscovered his best form. He was in a class of his own during aggregate meetings at Marsa as he topped every race he took part in this year. Last week, he also set a new national record for veterans when winning the 100 metres in 10.83secs.
• Andrew Chetcuti (swimming)
The Dubai-based swimmer is one of the country’s brightest prospects. He continued to underline his potential a few days ago when setting new national records in the 50 metres and 100 metres freestyle at the European Small Nations Championships in Andorra.
• Nikki Muscat (swimming)
This promising swimmer has established herself as one of the main contenders this season. She set a new personal best in the 100m free when stopping the clock at 58.2secs, just 0.3 seconds outside the national mark.