Team Malta has concluded its participation at the 4th Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, with two athletes reaching the final rounds in a historic achievement for Maltese sport.
Held between 31th October and 13th November 2026, the Games saw Malta represented by five athletes across swimming, athletics and artistic gymnastics.
Swimmer Sam Camilleri qualified for the men’s 200m butterfly final, finishing sixth and becoming the first Maltese swimmer to reach a final at the Youth Olympic Games. His main event, the 800m freestyle, was cancelled due to a technical problem. He also competed in the 400m freestyle.
In athletics, Matthew Azzopardi reached the men’s 800m final after finishing fifth in his heat, eventually placing seventh. Nick Bonett also represented Malta in the 400m, finishing sixth in his semi-final heat.
Yulya Anne Bonnici competed in the women’s 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle, while artistic gymnast Janet Galea finished 31st in the all-around classification.
Charlene Attard, Director of Sport, praised the athletes’ performances, highlighting the significance of having two finalists and the progress being made through the Maltese Olympic Committee’s youth development strategy.
Team Malta was led by Chef de Mission Johanna Grech, assisted by Natalya Berehova, Andria Friggieri and Tiziana Zammit.
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