Malta at the 2016 Summer Paralympics
Malta at the 2016 Summer Paralympics | ||
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Flag bearer Vladyslava Kravchenko | | |
Medals |
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Summer Paralympics appearances (overview) | ||
Malta competed at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from 7 to 18 September 2016. The country's participation in Rio marked its ninth appearance at the quadrennial event with the exception of the years between 1988 and 2004. The delegation consisted of one short-distance swimmer, Vladyslava Kravchenko, who was announced as the country's representative in April 2016. She was chosen as the flag bearer for the opening ceremony. Kravchenko competed in three swimming events but failed to advance into the final of each event as her times in her respective competitions were not fast enough to qualify for the later stages of each contest.
Background
Malta participated in nine Summer Paralympic Games between its début at the 1960 Summer Paralympics in Rome and the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro with the exceptions of 1976 and 1988 through to 2004.[1] Entering the 2016 competition, eight athletes representing Malta had won a total of seven medals in athletics, lawn bowls, snooker and table tennis.[2] Malta competed at the 2016 Rio Summer Paralympic Games from 7 to 18 September. The Malta Federation of Sports Associations for Disabled Persons (MFSADP) had financial difficulties heading into the Rio Paralympics but these were resolved when a company lent financial aid for defraying travel costs and enabled payment to the International Paralympic Committee.[3] The MFSADP sent a single short-distance swimmer to the Games, Vladyslava Kravchenko, who was confirmed as part of the team in April 2016.[4] Kravchenko travelled with her coach Isabelle Zarb.[4] 2008 Maltese representative Antonio Flores (athletics) severely injured his right foot during training and withdrew from the quadrennial event.[3][5] Another unknown athlete failed to qualify for not meeting the necessary qualification times.[3] Kravchenko was selected as the flag bearer for the opening ceremony.[6]
Disability classifications
Every participant at the Paralympics has their disability grouped into one of five