Galea strikes historic gold

It was an historic day for our swimming association yesterday after Angela Galea chalked up Malta's first ever gold medal success in the Games of the Small States of Europe. She won the 200 metres butterfly.

Malta had never managed to taste gold medal success in all previous editions of the Games. Two years ago in Malta, Galea 'Madame Butterfly' twice came agonisingly closed to achieving this feat but she finished second in both the 100 and 200 metres 'fly.

In the build-up to these Games, Galea had established winning a gold medal in her favourite event as a main objective. The 22-year-old kept her word and delivered the goods in Andorra.

After trailing in the opening 100 metres, Galea produced a remarkable comeback to touch the finishing pad first in 2:21.79.

Simona Muccioli, of San Marino, was second in 2:22.75 ahead of 2003 GSSE event winner Cypriot Maria Papadopoulou (2:25.64).

Malta's other swimmer in this race was the young Davina Mangion who finished a creditable fifth in 2:30.05.

"This is fantastic, I'm absolutely delighted to have broken this jinx. We now have a gold medal in swimming as well," Galea said.

"Winning this race has always been my primary objective and I'm satisfied to have fulfiled my lifetime ambition. In Malta I was desperately close but it seems it was a case of third time lucky.

"Now, I hope that this victory will provide a great injection of confidence to the whole swimming set-up. We really need it. Everybody in our team has done really well to give a good showing here and certainly this result is a fair reward for our efforts.

"I'm also happy because now I will be remembered as the first swimmer to strike success for my country."

Coach Steve Kormos was happy with the outcome but less satisfied with Galea's time.

"It's a great result for us," the Hungarian coach said. "We're all happy for Angela because she trains seriously hard and deserves all the warmth she is receiving from the Maltese.

"Obviously, I'm not too happy with her time as it is well outside Angela's personal best. However, what matters most today is that we have won the gold medal."

Later on in the day, Galea also competed in the 200m individual medley final after making it through the qualifying stage earlier in the day. She was fifth in 2:32.60.

Malta Olympic Committee president Lino Farrugia Sacco was delighted when he heard the news of Angela Galea's gold medal success in Andorra.

"This is a delightful surprise. Angela deserves all credit for her success," he said. "She's a truly professional athlete and practises hard every day. We're all happy for her.

"This gold medal has special significance for the sport of swimming as it is the first ever we have won in this sport.

"Our swimmers have been through some difficult times lately and hopefully Angela's success will act as a spur to lift the sport."