Matthew Galea Soler made history in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia, winning Malta’s first ever medal at the European Youth Olympic Festival with bronze in the 400m.
Drawn in lane one, the least favoured lane, Galea Soler ran a composed and controlled race to finish third in 48.84, which also gave him the U18, U20 and U23 national records. Israel’s Noam Mamu won in 47.60, with Spain’s Fabian Vidal second. Galea Soler said afterwards he had come for a personal best, not a medal.
“To say we are thrilled is an understatement. These Games are of an incredibly high level and to register such a performance is nothing short of amazing,” said Chef de Mission Maria Vella-Galea, the MOC’s Director of Media and PR.
Mireya Bugeja, who carried the flag with Galea Soler, ran 2:26.56 in the 800m, and gymnast Philippa Busuttil competed in the all-around.
