Team Malta heads to Tampere for European U-20 Athletics Championships

Five of Malta’s most promising young athletes will be representing the country at the European Athletics Under 20 Championships taking place in Tampere, Finland, between August 7 and 10.

The athletes will compete against the continent’s best talent in the age category following a season of record-breaking performances and international success.

Matthew Galea Soler will line up for the 400m event, a distance on which he is ranked among the top ten U20 athletes in Europe. He recently set a new national senior record in the 400m and placed an impressive 10^th at the World University Games, confirming his status as one of Malta’s brightest prospects.

Thea Parnis Coleiro will compete in both the 100m and 200m sprints, at the tail end of an impressive Summer for her, during which she won two gold medals at the FISEC Games and then broke the U18 and U20 national record in the 200m at the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF), where she reached the final. She had already broken these two records for the 100m during a challenge meeting in Marsa last May.

Isaac Bonnici will take on the 800m, following strong performance at the World University Games where he broke both the U20 and U23 national records.

Joining him in the 800m is Mireya Bugeja, who also impressed at the World University Games, setting new national records in the 1500m for both U-20 and U-23 categories.

Benjamin Salnitro will represent Malta in the 400m hurdles. He currently holds the national U20 and U23 records on these distances and has shown excellent form in recent months.

The Maltese team will be led by Team Leader Mario Bonello and coach Rachid Chouhal.

The championships will also see an important appointment for Malta in officiating, with Antonella Chouhal serving as World Athletics a referee at this prestigious event.

Team Malta’s participation in Finland is supported by Sport Malta and the Maltese Olympic Committee.