Charlene Attard
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| Born | January 31, 1987 Pietà, Malta | ||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||
| Country | Malta | ||||||||||||||
| Sport | Track and field | ||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Charlene Maria Attard (born 31 January 1987 in Pietà) is a track and field sprint athlete who competes internationally for Malta.[1] She represented Malta at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and is the first Maltese woman to run the 100m in under 12 seconds.[2] Since 2021, she has been the Maltese Olympic Committee's Director of Sport.
Early life and education
Attard was introduced to sports in 1991, at age four, through the organization Skolasport (now called #OnTheMove). She continued to be involved with the organization until she was a pre-teen, trying different sports like gymnastics and swimming. She was encouraged to take up athletics after a primary school teacher told Attard's parents she was a fast runner.[2]
Career
Attard began competing as a child "in long-distance events and road races", but at age 13 began competing in sprinting events.[2]
Attard was a member of the Malta National Team from 2002 to 2015.[2]
She has competed in the Games of the Small States of Europe six times, winning in total two gold, five silver and three bronze medals.[2]
In 2007, Attard won four medals at the GSSE, including a silver medal in the women's 100m [3][4]
Attard represented Malta at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. She competed at the 100 metres sprint and placed sixth in her heat without advancing to the second round. She ran the distance in a time of 12.20 seconds.[1]
As of 2018, Attard worked as a PE teacher at a senior school in Sliema.[2]
In 2021, Attard was nominated for the role of Director of Sport of the Maltese Olympic Committee.[5] As of 2025, she continues to hold the position.[6]
Recognition and honours
The Malta Amateur Athletics Association named Attard Athlete of the Year in 2006,[7] 2007,[8] and 2008.[2]
References
- ^ a b "Athlete biography: Charlene Attard". beijing2008.cn. Archived from the original on September 2, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-27.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Charlene Attard: Enjoying sports is a way of life". The Malta Independent. 2018-02-14. Retrieved 2025-04-09.
- ^ "Attard, Gilford sprint to silver in 100m". Times of Malta. 2007-06-06. Retrieved 2025-04-09.
- ^ Malta, Times of (2007-07-12). "Confident Attard looking to set new national records". Times of Malta. Retrieved 2025-04-09.
- ^ Camilleri, Valhmor (2021-10-13). "Charlene Attard to replace Ivan Balzan as MOC Director of Sport". Times of Malta. Retrieved 2025-04-09.
- ^ Camilleri, Valhmor (2023-05-21). "'GSSE can be a launchpad to a brighter future for Maltese sport'". Times of Malta. Retrieved 2025-04-09.
- ^ "Athletics: Darren Gilford, Charlene Attard Named top 2006 athletes". The Malta Independent. 2006-12-19. Retrieved 2025-04-09.
- ^ "Athletics Malta rewards top performers for 2007". Times of Malta. 2007-12-11. Retrieved 2025-04-09.