Anthony Fava, Pembroke Athleta PRO (Athletics Section), writes:

South African Oscar Pistorius, in his endeavours to be given the opportunity to qualify for the track events in Beijing, probably contributed in no small way to bring the Paralympic Games to the attention of the general public.

These Games have seen, for a number of years, the host nation affording the same venues and facilities which feature so prominently in the media every four years when the Olympic Games come about.

Indeed, the events at the Paralympics are keenly contested and in a way, comparatively speaking, reach similarly high standards as those immediately concluded within the Olympic Games.

After a lapse of some years Malta will once again feature at these Games, at the now famous Beijing 'Bird's Nest'. Our representative hails from the 'Queen of Sport' as Pembroke Athleta, so conspicuous within the local athletics fraternity, has nurtured among its fold a lad of steel, Antonio Flores. He has been competing regularly with full honours at almost all meetings organised by Athletics Malta.

As in previous years, in 2008 Flores competed in the local track and field aggregate meetings and the national championships. Recently, he took part in the British Open Championships and received accreditation to take part in the Special Olympics.

Besides, Flores proudly played his part for Pembroke Athleta in the recent Clubs' League, as a fully able-bodied athlete, helping Team B to attain third placing.

At the age of 18 years, Flores has been receiving training instructions by the club's top coach Jivko Jetchev, who has high hopes that the lad will really do well in the sprinting events.

Flores will leave for China on September 1, along with his affable character and keen sense of competition.

His friends at the club, the athletic fraternity and, indeed, all Maltese unite to bide him a safe journey, a good competition and excellent results.