Five of Malta’s most promising young athletes are set to represent the nation at the European Athletics Under 20 Championships in Tampere, Finland, taking place from 7 to 10 August. The athletes will be going head-to-head with Europe’s top U20 talent following a season of impressive breakthroughs and record-setting performances.
Matthew Galea Soler will contest the 400m, a distance in which he is currently ranked among the top ten U20 athletes in Europe. Galea Soler recently broke the national senior record in the event and placed 10th at the World University Games, a result that underlines his rising international profile.
Thea Parnis Coleiro will compete in both the 100m and 200m sprints, capping off an exceptional summer season. She claimed two gold medals at the FISEC Games and set new U18 and U20 national records in the 200m at the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF), where she reached the final. Earlier in the season, she had also broken both the U18 and U20 records for the 100m at a challenge meet in Marsa.
Isaac Bonnici is set to race in the 800m after breaking the U20 and U23 national records during his strong showing at the World University Games.
Also running the 800m is Mireya Bugeja, who impressed in the same competition and went on to set new U20 and U23 national records in the 1500m.
Benjamin Salnitro will represent Malta in the 400m hurdles. He currently holds the national records for both U20 and U23 in the event and has been in excellent form in the build-up to the Championships.
The team will be guided in Finland by Team Leader Mario Bonello and Coach Rachid Chouhal.
Malta will also have a presence on the officiating side, with Antonella Chouhal appointed by World Athletics as a referee, a significant role at this level of competition.
Team Malta’s participation is supported by Sport Malta and the Maltese Olympic Committee.
