The Maltese Olympic Committee will honour the country’s top performers in 2014 at the annual MOC Sports Awards, being held tomorrow at the Dolmen Hotel in St Paul’s Bay.

Athletes from 21 local sports associations are in line to receive one of the four main awards, namely platinum, gold, silver and bronze.

The MOC will also give recognition to one local council that organised a sports activity for the benefit of the community over the past 12 months.

For these awards, the MOC have managed to lure two former Olympic medallists, Giuseppe Abbagnale and Davide Tizzano.

Abbagnale is a household name in Italian sport, especially rowing. Along with his brother Carmine and Peppino Di Capua, Giuseppe Abbagnale won the gold medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and a silver in the 1988 Games in Seoul and in Barcelona four years later.

Giuseppe Abbagnale also figured in 11 world championships, winning seven gold medals, three silver and one bronze. He was crowned national champion 28 times and currently heads the Italian Rowing Federation.

Tizzano has also enjoyed success at Olympic Games. He won gold in the quadruple scull in Seoul 1988 and then teamed up with Agostino Abbagnale in the double scull in Atlanta in 1996.

He also made his mark in sailing, forming part of the Moro Di Venezia crew in the 1992 America’s Cup and Mascalzone Latino in 2007.

Tizzano is the vice-president of the Italian Rowing Federation and is also an executive member on the International Committee of the Mediterranean Games.

Also tomorrow, the MOC will reward artists and creators who, through their talent and efforts, have promoted Olympism and left a legacy through art.

The award, named IOC Trophy – Sport and Art, is recognised by the International Olympic Committee.