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Sam Micallef, Special Olympics Malta athlete

Sam Micallef

Sam lives in Mosta, a small yet bustling city in the Northern Region of Malta. He joined Special Olympics at the tender age of 14, channeling his passion into aquatic sports. He excelled in swimming, but he also embraced water polo. His dedication led him to participate in local and international competitions across Malta, Cyprus, and Basilicata. He won a bronze medal in the 25m backstroke, came fifth place in the 4x50m medley relay, and finished sixth in the 50m freestyle at Special Olympics World Games, Abu Dhabi 2019. The highlight was in 2023 at Special Olympics World Games Berlin, where Sam’s team—Special Olympics Malta—stood atop the podium, claiming gold in the 4x25m Freestyle Relay. Additionally, Sam performed admirably in the 100m Freestyle and 100m Backstroke (Level A).

Swimming did not only help Sam to be physically active. It taught him to cultivate discipline, determination, and perseverance. He learned to conquer uncertainties, build confidence, and shape his identity.

Sam assumed the role of a Health Messenger to empower others through education and positive role modeling. He believes that everyone deserves accurate information on healthy living and illness prevention. He advocates for inclusive health by addressing local forums, media outlets, and university audiences. His voice resonated at the World Health Organization #Youth4Health Tirana 2022 Forum, where he passionately championed improved health services for individuals with disabilities. Sam also chairs the local Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability Youth Group.

Sam holds a Game and Software Development degree and an Advanced Diploma in Computer Science from the Higher Education Academy of STC. As a Junior Clerk at Identità, the Maltese government agency responsive to citizens’ identity management and migration processes, Sam contributes to solutions related to e-ID cards, e-Passports, visas, and residence documents.

Despite his tech-savvy nature, Sam’s heart remains in the water. Swimming remains his passion, and he has dabbled in other sports like hockey. Sam’s journey exemplifies that hard work knows no bounds.

Health Messengers 2024

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