Maltese squad not finalised yet
Judoka Bezzina earns invitation
With the 2004 Athens Olympics fast approaching, the Malta Olympic Committee (MOC) are still awaiting confirmation from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) before they can finalise the list of athletes who will represent Malta in the Games starting on August 13.
On Wednesday, the IOC notified the MOC that Maltese judoka Marcon Bezzina has been awarded an invitation by the International Judo Federation to take part in the Athens competition.
Bezzina is the second Maltese athlete to get an invitation to participate in the Olympic Games after double-trap shooter William Chetcuti received his wild card earlier this year.
MOC secretary Joe Cassar yesterday told The Times that so far, only three Maltese athletes are sure of their place in the Olympics contingent.
Apart from Chetcuti and Bezzina, middle-distance runner Tanya Blake is the other athlete who has qualified for the Olympics on her own merit after clocking the Minimum Qualifying Standard set by the IAAF for the 800m during the Prefontaine Classic held in Oregon, US last year.
"There are still three places up for grabs to complete our line-up for Athens," Cassar said. "As in every Olympic Games, the IOC have given us the possibility of fielding two runners and two swimmers. Athletes who have taken part in the World Championships in their respective disciplines will be considered for these three Olympic slots.
"With Blake having already secured one of the berths in athletics, we are still in the process of naming the male runner. Darren Gilford is the favourite to earn selection to the Maltese team. In swimming, Angela Galea and Neil Agius are the only two swimmers who meet our criteria as they took part in this year's worlds in Barcelona."
Sailing request
Cassar added that the Malta contingent could be increased to seven athletes if the International Sailing Federation (ISF) and the IOC approve the MOC request to issue an invitation to a Maltese sailor.
"In Athens, we may also have a Maltese participant in the sailing events," Cassar revealed. "This depends on whether the ISF and the IOC uphold our request to grant Mario Aquilina a place in the Olympic event.
"We hope to receive a positive response from the IOC soon so that we can finalise the Malta contingent for the Olympics by the end of the month."