The Special Olympics Malta team headed by Anna Calleja and sponsored principally by the Vodafone Malta Foundation and Air Malta participated in the Special Olympics European Tournament of Bocce in Lodi, Italy, last week.

During their stay, 25-year-old Maltese athlete Beverly Bianchi passed sadly away following an epileptic fit. Despite the tragedy, the Maltese team bravely continued with their scheduled games and Liechtenstein lent a female player to the Maltese team, which placed fourth in the competition. The boys' team placed fifth in their category.

Flags were lowered in respect of Ms Bianchi and the Maltese team received a huge round of emotional applause as they were presented with the merited Special Olympics flag at the closing ceremony.

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