Eight strong delegation for the European Youth Olympic Festival
Gyor, Hungary will be hosting the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF), which was brought to life in 2009 by former president of the International Olympic Committee Jacques Rogge. This year’s edition is taking place between yesterday and next Saturday.
The aim of EYOF was to provide young athletes the possibility to get to know about the Olympic Movement and its values and ideals. EYOF also presents an opportunity for talented youth and Olympic prospects to compete at a high level and Olympic setting at an earlier age.
Hosted every two years, the Maltese Olympic Committee has fielded athletes in all editions of these Games, which way back in 1991 where referred to as the European Youth Olympic Days. This year the festival is showcasing ten sporting disciplines – artistic gymnastics, athletics, basketball, cycling, canoe/kayak sprint, handball, judo, swimming, tennis and volleyball.
Joining 50 countries and approximately 3,600 athletes, Malta will be represented by an eight-strong contingent who will be competing in athletics and swimming.
Amongst the promising participants taking part are swimmers Mya Azzopardi – she was Malta’s flag bearer - and Leah Tanti, both having competed in the Games of the Small States of Europe in San Marino in June. Both Azzopardi and Tanti have been producing some fine showings, collecting a number of national records to their names.
Athlete Carla Scicluna claimed Silver and Bronze medals at FISEC Games whilst Omar Elaida gave a good show at the recently held European Athletics Team Championships third league in Malta.
Swimming: Mya Azzopardi (50m, 100m, 200m Freestyle, 100m Backstroke, 100m Butterfly and 200m Individual Medley) Andria Friggieri (100m, 200m Backstroke, 200m, 400m Freestyle), Leah Tanti ( 100m Freestyle, 100m, 200m Breaststroke, 100m Butterfly), Martina Valletta (50m Freestyle, 200m Individual Medley), Kyle Buhagiar (50m, 100m, 200m Freestyle, 200m Individual Medley), Andrea Mallia (100m, 200m breaststroke). Malta will also be represented in the 4x100m Freestyle and 4 x 100m Medley in the Girls and Mixed Categories.
Athletics: Carla Scicluna (100m, 200m), Omar Elaida (200m).
Chef de Mission for the Maltese contingent will be Charlene Attard, Director of the Maltese Olympic Committee who will be accompanied by Team Official Artem Goncharenko. Maltese Olympic Committee Secretary General Joseph Cassar is the Chairman of the European Olympic Committee Coordination Commission for this year’s edition in Gyor.