Francesco Caruana is a 15 year old Gozitan athlete who was selected to be part of a 15-strong team representing Malta in this year’s edition of the European Kids Athletics Games in Brno, Czech Republic. Caruana competed in the 60m, 300m and in the 4 x 60m relay. He won his first international medal in the relay, in which he and his teammates placed second.

Christoph Schwaiger of Athletix A.C. Gozo, had the opportunity to interview him when he came back from this event.

“Having returned from the Czech Republic where you took part in the European Kids Athletics Games and won silver in the 4 x 60m relay, how would you describe this experience?”

“Even now as you ask me about my experience in the Czech Republic, I feel a shot of excitement and adrenaline coming back to my veins, something that only an athlete can describe. I think this experience will live with me for many years yet to come,” Francesco said.

“How did you prepare for this event?”

Francesco replied, “I was only introduced to this sport about nine months ago so the preparation had to be very intense. It did not consist only of routine exercises and heats on the track but also in a complete change in my eating habits, something that really put my perseverance to the test.”

“Would it have been more helpful to you if there was an athletics track in Gozo?”

“In Gozo, athletics is practiced to a very small extent in some schools during the sports day event. This comes as no surprise. To practice athletics in the absence of a professional running track requires a lot of sacrifice and determination. Obviously the presence of a running track in Gozo would have been more than helpful. It would have saved me many hours wasted in travelling between the islands and would have given me a bigger incentive to train more.”

“How did it feel being the only Gozitan in the Maltese team?”

“Being the only Gozitan in the Maltese team did not intimidate me in the least. On the contrary this situation spurred me more to do my best. We worked very well together especially in the relay, where we relied entirely on teamwork. In this event we won a Silver medal,” Francesco commented.

“How do the athletic facilities in Bruno compare to those in Malta?”

“It goes without saying that the athletics facilities in Brno are of a very high standard. To qualify as a host for such events merits no less. But I do not think that the athletics facilities in Malta lag much behind, however, there is always room for improvement.”

“Whom was the competition open to?”

“The competition had participation from fifteen European countries and the participants competed within their age group which varied from 10 to 15 years,” Francesco explained.

“Did this experience abroad change you in any way?”

Francsco said, “this experience made me look upon athletics with greater esteem. The sight of coaches, physiotherapists and nutritionists fussing around the athletes before and after a race gave me an almost frightening sensation of how seriously these people take athletics. This experience completely changed my perception from an amateur point of view to a professional one.”

“With the start of the Maltese athletics season 2012/13 around the corner, how are you preparing for it?”

“The Maltese athletics season 2012/2013 proves to be very challenging for me since during this period I will also be sitting for my GCSE exams. My coach Mr Mario Bonello is also conscious of this reality. We are working together on a strategy that allows me to do as much training in Gozo as possible while travelling to Malta for competitions. I hope this plan will get me results on both flanks, but everything goes by the saying – no pain no gain.” Francesco concluded.

Francesco Caruana trains with Athletix Athletics Club (Gozo) and is coached by 2 IAAF qualified coaches, Mr Paul Camilleri and Mr Mario Bonello. The latter was the athletics coach for the London 2012 Olympics Maltese contingent.

Both Paul and Mario, who set up Athletix Gozo in 2007, realise that without the right venue it is difficult for athletics to gain the momentum they wish it gathers. They noted that a full size 400m track and its ancillary facilities (such as sand pit and throwing areas), is needed.

When asked whether a small 200m track could do the trick they replied in the negative. “Those tracks are only adequate for kids to try athletics for fun. Once they start running quick, like some of our kids, they would not be able to negotiate the tight bends. What is needed is a full size facility, possibly with less lanes.”

Athletix Gozo can be reached via e-mail athletixgozo@gmail.com, on Mob 7956 4861 or though the website www.sprintmalta.com.

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