With just a few days until the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games kick off, the Maltese Olympic Committee announced that Shooter Gianluca Chetcuti and Swimmer Sasha Gatt will be the flag bearers for Team Malta during the opening ceremony on 26 July 2024.

This historic ceremony will take place on the Seine, where boats carrying each national delegation will travel a 6-kilometre route in front of the Trocadéro, culminating in final Olympic protocol and shows. 

Gianluca Chetcuti, debuting at these Games, began his international career in 2014, winning a Junior Bronze Medal in Double Trap at the Italian Nations Cup. He later won Gold at the 2017 GSSE and Bronze at the European Championships. In 2019, he switched to Trap and set a new Maltese record at the 2023 European Games.

Sasha Gatt, one of Malta’s youngest Olympians at the Tokyo Games in 2021. At thirteen, she set a National Short Course Record in the 800m freestyle in Germany. Her  consistent performances earned her the highest FINA points, making her Malta’s top-ranked female swimmer.

Completing Team Malta are Track Athlete Beppe Grillo, Judoka Katryna Esposito, and Swimmer Kyle Micallef, all making their Olympic debuts.

Attending the presentation of the Maltese flag to Chetcuti and Gatt were members of the media as well as representatives of APS Bank who supported Team Malta athletes in the preparation for these Games.

MOC President Julian Pace Bonello welcomed the athletes, expressing his heartfelt congratulations and noting their dedication, perseverance, and excellence which led them to this stage of their sporting careers.

“As you step onto the Olympic stage, remember that you are not just athletes but ambassadors of Malta. Compete with passion, integrity, and the resilience that defines our island” he remarked.

He went on to express his gratitude towards APS Bank, SportMalta, NDS, KM Malta Airlines and Olympic Solidarity for their financial contributions which aided athletes in their preparations for these Games.

Team Malta’s Olympic commitments begin on July 27th with Judoka Katryna Esposito in the -48kg event, followed by Gianluca Chetcuti’s qualifying events on 29 and 30 July. Sasha Gatt will compete in the 1500m freestyle heats on 30 July, Swimmer Kyle Micallef in the 50m heats on 1 August, and Beppe Grillo in the Men’s 100m Preliminary Round on 3 August.