sport

Local athletes need more help

The recent terrorist atrocities have meant that only 225 runners are taking part in the Gatorade Marathon next week. But it still looks set to be one of the most talked-about races ever to be organised in Malta. RAY ABDILLA gets the details from the marathon’s organiser, Barry M. Whitmore

How did you come to settle in Malta?
I first came to Malta with a group of golf enthusiasts in 1986. I have to admit that I fell in love with both the island and a particular girl here!
What spurred you on to start up your sports operations here?
I saw a great deal of potential on the island and also had a very good relationship with the late Joe Bajada who was President of the Malta Amateur Athletics Association.
He, together with his colleagues Godwin Zammit and Amy Azzopardi, supported me all the way. I had liked the idea of a different kind of marathon. Although marathons were popular at the time, athletes were doing fewer runs, running three per year instead of five, for example.
I wanted to create a different kind of marathon which had greater appeal. What we decided was that a marathon spread over three days would work for both those wanting to do the full marathon and also for athletes who prefer running the half one.
Are your sports activities limited to Malta?
No, I have had contacts with other people organising half marathons in the former Yugoslavia and have also organised events in Mallorca, Spain. I have also attended a number of workshops for athletics, where we exchange ideas.
What do you do for a living?
I am a tour operator.
So what can you tell us about the 11th Gatorade Malta International Marathon?
The marathon is not only important as a sports activity but also because it helps to put Malta on the map for tourism. Everything helps and the Gatorade Marathon is just one example of how we can raise Malta’s profile. Unfortunately the authorities do not help enough for such things to expand further.
The main problem we have this year compared to previous races is the lack of athletes, which is mostly due to the bombing of the World Trade Centre.
I hope, still, that it will be as successful as the past editions. I know that mistakes will be made, but I am always optimistic about such a race as I have always had the necessary backup I needed, from Superintendent Andrew Logan who has impressively filled the void left by Alfred Abela.
Can you tell me something about past editions?
At the beginning they were very difficult to organise but things have improved over time.
What are your sporting ambitions?
Since we have achieved such a high level of success with this three-day marathon in Malta, I would like to see the event replicated in another country, ideally somewhere that it would be appreciated by both the private sector and the government. Unfortunately neither give very good back-up in Malta. If it were not for Gatorade and some other sponsors, we would not be able to organise such a big event.
What about the Maltese athletes. Do you think that the standard is good enough?
There is some good enthusiasm in evidence and over these last couple of years the standard has improved. But it does seem that some people are still sceptical and wary about this kind of marathon. I don’t really think it is their fault, but rather it comes down to their coaches.