I am writing in direct response to the letter by Nikki Abela (Sports Imports, March 31).

I would like to set a few things straight for the record. It would be wise if people like Ms Abela got the correct information before writing letters like the one in question.

Nothing got me to the stage I am at but hard work and dedication. Not those so-called "superior facilities." I have never trained in a superior pool or gym to the one being offered here in Malta. In fact, due to my location in Australia, much of my swimming career was spent sharing a lane in a shallow 25-metre, over-heated pool, filled with children half my age swimming in the same lane. My gym sessions were spent underneath my neighbors' house that, by chance, had some equipment I could use.

If anything, the swimmers here in Malta have had far superior facilities available compared to what I have used in my career. It is completely unfair to assume such a thing and unsportsmanlike to cite it as the reason for my performances in the pool compared to that of the other Maltese athletes.

I have never even heard of a "sports university" let alone attended one as implied in the letter.

It can be noted that the Malta Olympic Committee (MOC) did not spend "mounds of cash" to get me here as stated by Ms Abela. I did not receive anything to come here. In fact, I have had to borrow in excess of $10,000 just to pay for my flight to get here and have a living bursary as not only am I a full-time athlete but I am also a full-time student studying for a degree in sports management. I have not even asked for any assistance from my swim club of representation, Neptune's, unlike some of the other swimmers who change upon the best offer.

The statement that I am "taking the place of someone else, a local" is also incorrect. I am a local, I live in Sliema. Any other swimmer may still make the team if they swim the qualifying time for their respective event. The rest of the world deals with this problem, why can't Malta?

The records I have broken are national records, not age group. They are supposed to be fast. I am a 22-year-old man, so why would people complain that my times are too far out of reach for their 14, 15, 16 year-old sons?

Let them grow up and work towards holding a national record. I am becoming increasingly appalled at the level of sportsmanship being demonstrated by some of the people here in Malta. Sport is about rising to a challenge, not just throwing your hands up and saying "well, he's too fast, I could never do that... I quit".

The fact is, if I can swim the times I am producing, than anyone can.

Since my arrival here in Malta, it has been my objective to help, not hinder Maltese swimmers and I am positive that the other swimmers will tell you that I am very approachable and am constantly giving them advice, wishing them luck and cheering them on when I am not racing.

I gave up my family, friends and lifestyle to be here chasing my goal to represent Malta at the highest level of competition possible while trying to establish some good results for the country. It has not been easy as I live and train on my own, I have no transportation and ride my bike to the pool and gym every day. I have it just as tough as any other Maltese athlete. My Maltese blood runs strong and I have every right to be here. It would be nice to have a little more support while doing my best for this county than to have to read articles with false information like the one in question.

It is disappointing that I have had to write this to defend myself, but I have worked too hard and long under the same, if not worse, conditions as anyone else in Malta to get where I am and I believe that nobody has the right to take any of my achievements away from me.