Malta's Tanya Blake among world's best

Tanya Blake was among the top 50 athletes in the 800m last year according to the final ranking lists for 2003 that have just been announced by the IAAF, the world's governing athletics body.

These lists are based on a system whereby points are awarded according to results obtained during the year. Blake placed 46th. And she did even better when compared to her European counterparts since she is ranked 11th by the EAA.

However, asked about these achievements, Blake confided that she doesn't place too much weighing on ranking results.

"I have made the top 50 before and I am actually ranked lower this time than previous years," she said. "To be honest, I am not satisfied with just top 50.

"On time I am ranked in the top 20 which is a little better but as an athlete you are never satisfied. Although a top ten world ranking would be nice."

Still, Blake has plenty of reasons to be pleased with the way 2003 turned out for her.

"Of course, finally going under two minutes was the biggest thing for me, time wise. But I also really enjoyed competing in the Games for the Small States of Europe. To race in Malta was such a unique experience and it enabled me to meet so many more people," she said.

Indeed, according to the influential US magazine Track and Field News, Blake's time of 1.59.56 was the 18th fastest in the world last year. A result that fully justifies Tony Chircop's words of praise about Blake's achievements.

"Tanya made a tremendous impact with her time of less than two minutes in the 800m," he said.

Her results, along with those of other leading local athletes, are boosting Maltese athletics as the MAAA president explained.

"Our association is gaining a lot of respect from both the IAAF and EAA due to the progress our athletes are doing. They consider the size and population of Malta and compare with other countries and our previous records. They take note of the progress we have made during these last few years. What is more important, these performances augur well for the future," he said.

"I am sure that athletes like Tanya, Darren Gilford, Celine Pace, Mario Bonello, Rebecca Camilleri and Rashid Chouhal are all gearing themselves up for the coming year.

"What we are doing now is laying the foundation for a strong athletics team. Remember, tomorrow's athletes have to be better and stronger than Rashid, Darren or Tanya to go places. I strongly believe that we are on the right track though... naturally we have to work more. We have plans how to continue to improve."

As for Blake, her time in Oregon last year guaranteed her a place at the Athens Olympics. For now, however, her aim is that of getting ready for the new season.

"To be honest I don't even have any targets for 2004," she said. "The last few years it has been a case of 'break two minutes... break two minutes' but I have done that now.

"So I am just going to go with the flow and not place any limits on myself. I will open up January 31 in Boston and I really feel ready to race. I'm looking forward to it."