Malta will be represented by two athletes at the upcoming Paralympic Games that will be held in Paris between August 28 and September 8.
Swimmer Maja Theuma and track and field athlete Antonio Flores will represent Malta at the quadriennial Games.
The 24-year-old Theuma has been practising the sport for the past seven years and has established herself as one of the country’s top performers in para swimming, establishing several national records.
During her career she managed to take part in several European and World Championships and this will be her first-ever participation at the Paralympic Games.
In Paris, Theuma will be competing in the 50 metres freestyle, which is scheduled for August 29.
On his part, the 34-year-old Flores is a veteran in the sport having been a competitor in para athletics for the past 16 years.
The Żurrieq Wolves para athlete has competed in several international competitions over the years and for him this will be his second participation in a Paralympic Games as he represented Malta at the Beijing edition in 2008.
In Paris, Flores will be competing in the 100m and 200m races, scheduled for September 1 and 2.
Dr Julian Bajada, secretary general of the Malta Paralympic Committee, will be the chef de mission of the Maltese contingent in Paris.
The Maltese contingent will also include swimming coaches Edward Caruana Dingli and Tim Hartley, of Exiles Sports Club .
Speaking in a news conference, Dr Bajada said that the main goal for Malta’s two paralympians was that they will produce their best possible performance.
“Our objective is that our para athletes will take their best version of themselves into the Games and try and produce their best possible performance,” Dr Bajada said.
“The Paralympic Games is contested by the best athletes in the world and a good performance on competition is all that matters.
“I am aware of how far both Maja and Antonio have come. They have matured a lot throughout the years and have great commitment towards their sport.
“I am sure that they will do their utmost to secure the best possible result.”
Beyond the actual competitive participation, Dr Bajada said that the Paralympic Games are a perfect opportunity to raise more awareness of disability in sport.
“The Paralympic Games are not just those two weeks of competition, but for us there is more significance on what happens after the Games,” Dr Bajada said.
“After the last edition in Tokyo, the Malta Paralympic Committee has increased its efforts to attract more athletes to the sport and in fact the participation numbers have gone up significantly.
“At the end of the day our main objective throughout this campaign is that we want to change people’s perspective n disability in sport.”
Hudson and Debono Group are among the main sponsors for the Malta contingent at the Paralympic Games.
