News

MOC welcomes announcement of reopening of gyms on Friday.

The Maltese Olympic Committee welcomes the announcement that gyms will be reopening on Friday.  The Maltese Olympic Committee supports this move which should see all sports resuming and looks forward to competitions being allowed to restart shortly after.

The MOC believes that in light of these changes the Guidelines for Return to Sport are to be amended accordingly. It reiterates its continued support and willingness to contribute towards this exercise to ensure that the sporting environment picks up the momentum that was lost due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

By |May 31st, 2020|News|Comments Off on MOC welcomes announcement of reopening of gyms on Friday.|
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MOC Delegation in discussions with Health Minister

A delegation from the Maltese Olympic Committee, made up of Mr Julian Pace Bonello, Mr Joseph Cassar, Mr Ivan Balzan, Dr Lucienne Attard, Dr. Kirill Micallef Stafrace and Mr Paul Sultana, yesterday held a meeting with the Hon. Dr Chris Fearne, Prof Charmaine Gauci, the Hon. Dr Clifton Grima, Dr Chris Bonnett and Mr Jeremy Dalli. The meeting’s focus was the strategy to return to practicing sports.

MOC President, Mr Julian Pace Bonello thanked the Deputy Prime Minister and his colleagues for the excellent way in which they have been conducting the measures to curb the dissemination of the Covid-19 Virus. He continued to give an overview of what the MOC had done to-date with the National Federations on this topic and their recommendations as to how to commence their athletes return to training in their proper sport environment

He also confirmed that the strategy adopted to-date, was totally in line with the MOC’s own recommendations to commence with individual sports practiced outdoors and of a non-contact nature.

Director of Sport, Mr Ivan Balzan presented a detailed dossier for many of the sports. The dossier was compiled in conjunction with the National Federations and included thorough research as to how other GSSE countries were returning to the sports venues to resume their training.

MOC Secretary General Mr Joseph Cassar also added that the MOC was only proposing training for elite athletes and was not encouraging any sort of competition at this stage. He also pointed out that certain sports had to be played inside sports venues where distance and other safety measures were possible.

Hon Chris Fearne welcomed this dossier and thanked the MOC for attending this meeting as well as for the valuable proposals presented during the discussion, [...]

By |May 21st, 2020|News|Comments Off on MOC Delegation in discussions with Health Minister|
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MEDIA STATEMENT – COVID-19 Update

Authorities urged to give sports priority restart

From the onset of the spread of the Corona-19 virus in Malta, the Maltese Olympic Committee (MOC) immediately urged our National Sports Associations to abide by the directives of Government and the Health Authorities in order to safeguard the health of our Athletes and the public. The MOC would like to thank the sports community for their understanding and collaboration. Moreover we thank the Maltese Government and the Health Authorities for their sterling work to contain the spread of the Covid -19.

However the Maltese Olympic Committee, which represents 47 National Sports Associations, is disappointed that until now Sport has been left in the dark as to when and how restrictions will be relaxed.

More than a month ago we asked all Federations to prepare a report and propose how national team Athletes may resume training whilst respecting Health Authorities directives.

On the 6th May communication was sent to ask for a meeting with the Health Authorities to present these proposals. Regretfully to date, the MOC has not received any response to our requested meeting.

The MOC is aware that a meeting was held last Thursday 14th May between the Health Authorities and Sport Malta. It is very disappointing that the MOC was not invited to this meeting. Furthermore,it seems that no information to the Maltese public seems to have been issued with regards to the outcome of this meeting.

Most European Countries have already opened up to a number of sporting disciplines with specific special guidelines. Unless the Government urgently reacts to the needs of the Sports, Maltese Athletes will be disadvantaged when compared with our competitors.

On behalf of our National Team Athletes, National Federations and National Coaches we plead with the [...]

By |May 19th, 2020|News|Comments Off on MEDIA STATEMENT – COVID-19 Update|
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MEDIA STATEMENT

Resumption of Sports Activities

Further to various comments on several media channels, the Maltese Olympic Committee would like to advise that it has been in contact with affiliated Federations and a number of athletes with regards to the Covid-19 pandemic situation. 

Whilst the Maltese Olympic Committee understands and appreciates the frustration of athletes who are not able to train, it is the Maltese Olympic Committee’s responsibility to ensure that all Health and Safety regulations issued by the Health Department are adhered to. 

At the same time, the Maltese Olympic Committee is working closely with the Authorities and the Parliamentary Secretariat for Sport and other stakeholders to ensure that Sport is given its due importance under the circumstances.

By |May 7th, 2020|News|Comments Off on MEDIA STATEMENT|
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Tribute – Jonathan Chetcuti

The Maltese Olympic Committee was saddened to read of
the passing of former national volleyball player Jonathan Chetcuti, who passed
away earlier on today.

Photo Credit: The Concept Stadium

Jonathan, played competitive volleyball of over twenty
years, winning all top personal and team
honours in Malta with three different teams. Over the years he obtained numerous
caps with the Malta National Volleyball team, captaining his national side
between 2003 and 2012.  In 2001 he
was part of the Maltese contingent in the Games of the Small States of Europe,
held in San Marino.

Jonathan was twice nominated for the
Malta National Sports Awards.

Jonathan was
also well known abroad, particularly in Milan, Italy where he organised a
number of training camps for the Maltese National Team.

Jonathan, a technology and computer design expert was
also respected in his field – with many commenting for his unique approach to
life, business and happiness.

Once the sad news broke, social media was flooded with
heartfelt tributes – a true testament of the respect Jonathan enjoyed.

The Maltese Olympic Committee offers its condolences
to his wife Elaine, his son Gigi, his parents Monica and Hector – former Malta
Volleyball Association President and his innumerable friends.

Photo Credit: Jonathan Chetcuti’s Facebook

May they find solace at such a difficult time.

Rest in peace Jonathan.

By |May 3rd, 2020|News, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Tribute – Jonathan Chetcuti|
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Message to Athletes

The Maltese Olympic Committee’s Director of Sport has penned a heartfelt message to athletes in view of the current situation that the world is facing with the Covid-19 Pandemic.

To read the message just click on the download button below.

2020-Message-to-AthletesDownload

By |April 8th, 2020|News|Comments Off on Message to Athletes|
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Postponement – Tokyo 2020

Statement from the Maltese Olympic Committee in view of Tokyo 2020 postponement

The Maltese Olympic Committee welcomes the
decision of the IOC, the Government of Japan and the Organising Committee to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
by a year.

This decision was taken in the
best interest of the health of the athletes and the general public in this sad
period which the world is going through because of the COVID-19 virus.

This decision is in line with the
sentiments of the Maltese Olympic Committee, for whom the health and welfare of
our athletes comes first and foremost.

The MOC would like to show its solidarity with all those athletes who have had already qualified for the Olympic Games, and also with all the other athletes who have put in hours of training and immense sacrifice for these games.

Furthermore the MOC takes this opportunity to urge all athletes and the general public to continue to adhere to the instructions given by health authorities so that we will actively contribute to the control of the spread of this malignant virus.

IOC Announcement

By |March 24th, 2020|News|Comments Off on Postponement – Tokyo 2020|
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MOC Offices Closed

Dear Colleagues and friends,

Following
a series of preventive measures announced by the Maltese Government
with regards to the risk of the Covid-19 virus, it has been decided,
with a great
sense of responsibility and awareness, that the headquarters of the
Maltese Olympic Committee will remain partially closed from Monday 16
March until further notice. Most of our staff is now teleworking from
home.

The
situation will be reevaluated again in accordance with the latest
reports on the issue and the official statements of the Maltese
Government. 

You
are all therefore kindly urged not to come to the offices, unless a
specific or urgent meeting is required.  Needless to say you can
continue to correspond
with us via email or personal telephones. 

Kindly note also that all FDL appointments are being rescheduled and you will be receiving further information in due course.

We
wish you all health and positive thinking in these difficult moments
and urge you to take all the necessary precautions. Take good care

By |March 16th, 2020|News|Comments Off on MOC Offices Closed|
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  • Permalink Gallery

    Maltese Athletes honoured at the 18th Maltese Olympic Committee Sports Awards

Maltese Athletes honoured at the 18th Maltese Olympic Committee Sports Awards

Malta Shooting Sports Federation Athlete William Chetcuti receiving his Gold Award from MOC President Mr. Julian Pace BonelloCredit: Andrew Large

The 18th Edition of the annual Maltese Olympic Committee Sports
Awards fêted the
international achievements of local elite athletes and teams, who excelled in
their respective sports throughout the period of October 2018 – October 2019.

With 2019 being a GSSE year it was to be expected that
the majority of awards presented went to athtletes forming part of Team Malta
in Montenegro, however a substantial number of athletes competing in events
other than the GSSE performed well to bring further honour to Malta.   In total sixty nine awards were
presented.  The highest accolade of the
evening was the Gold Award Category of which sixteen awards were presented.

In a brief address,
William Beck, Deputy President and Chairman of the MOC Sports Awards Organising
team, congratulated the winners for reaching the ultimate goal – Citius, Altius,
Fortius, which is what every athlete strives for; to be the fastest, to reach
the highest, to be the strongest. He also expressed the Committee’s admiration
for those athletes who despite not having made it to the podium still honoured
Malta with their level of sportsmanship whenever they competed and emphasized
that when the time comes for them to be remembered for their actions, they will
be remembered as to how they played the game.

Special guest for the evening was Szilveszter Csollány,
former Hungarian gymnast, considered as one of the best gymnasts in Olympic
history. An Olympic medallist following his success in Atlanta (1996) and
Sydney (2000), he is also a five time World Artistic Gymnastics Champion and is
considered to be one of the world’s renowned gymnastics coaches [...]

By |December 8th, 2019|News|Comments Off on Maltese Athletes honoured at the 18th Maltese Olympic Committee Sports Awards|
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    Call for Expression of Interest for Media Accreditation to Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games

Call for Expression of Interest for Media Accreditation to Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games

The Maltese Olympic Committee (MOC) is pleased to offer
accreditation for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games (24 July 2020 – 9 August
2020) to:

One Journalist (Category E) defined (by Tokyo 2020) as:
a Journalist, Editor, Photographic editor, employed or contracted by an
International or National news agency, a general daily newspaper, a sports
newspaper, magazine or internet site; a digital journalist, or freelance journalist
under contract.

One Photographer (Category EP): defined (by Tokyo 2020)
as: Photographer meeting the same criteria as for item 1.

The following table outlines the venue and zone access, seating and transport
privileges granted to press categories at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

Conditions:

1. The MOC can offer the accreditation to the Tokyo 2020
competitions;

2. The Media persons will be responsible for all expenses,
including, but not limited to flights, accommodation, subsistence etc.;

3. The selected
photographer and journalist will be bound to cover all Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
activities, events and competitions where Maltese athletes are competing and
will give the right to the MOC to use such articles and photographs as they
deem fit, including sharing on the MOC’s digital channels and other media
channels;

4. The selected
photographer and journalist will be free to distribute related material to
other entities at the same time that such material is also given to the MOC;

5. Whilst the photographer will be the owner
of the material gathered at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, they will be required
to provide the MOC with copies of the material taken by the accredited person, particularly in relation to
Maltese athletes competing at these Games. Credit will be given accordingly;

6. The selected photographer will be expected to offer his
Services to the MOC at no charge for [...]

By |December 3rd, 2019|News, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Call for Expression of Interest for Media Accreditation to Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games|
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