When your childhood joy becomes the part of your life you excel in the most; you know life is good! Amy Micallef, a 21 year old swimmer from Malta is about to embark on a journey that most athletes only dream of. This year is all about training and upping her game, in the hopes of snatching the gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Yes, THE Olympics - the super sport event that has the entire planet glued to their TV sets (unless they grabbed themselves a ticket to watch the games live!)
There’s something magical about people who live their dreams and work to their max to achieve them. Amy’s love for swimming started at a very young age; “For as long as I can remember I always loved summer because I would spend hours in the sea, swimming, jumping, diving, and just being in the water.”
“I first started swimming competitively when I was eight, but I didn’t actually enjoy training. I was used to swimming for fun, so when it came to training I found it quite tiring and boring. I persevered because I enjoyed being around my friends and in the water. I can still remember the moment I realised I was actually quite talented.” That's when it all clicked!
“During our training sessions, I was always the last swimmer at the back of the lane as I was placed in an older group, and I also didn't really push myself far enough. However, at the end of a particular season gala, I remember doing really well in quite a few races and my coaches were impressed. They said that if I actually put more effort into my training I could be much better, which is when I decided to take the sport more seriously. Not long after that I went through the Maltese record book, compared my results, and set a few targets I wanted to achieve. I've never looked back.”
And it’s a good thing too… had Amy strayed off her path, she wouldn’t have achieved the National Record at 14 years of age, or represented Malta in the last three editions of the FINA World Championships. But this little swimmer has big aspirations: “my dream has always been to represent Malta at the Olympics, so competing in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 would definitely be my proudest moment.”
Amy explains that the life of any serious athlete can be quit a crazy ride. “Being dedicated to such a demanding sport has not been easy. I wake up at around 4.45am every morning and start my first training session at 5.30am. When I was at school, 6th Form and University, I would usually head straight to my lessons and then back at the pool at 4pm or 5pm for another session.”
Living the hectic lifestyle of a determined athlete with everyday responsibilities added onto that is quite the challenge. “I’ve also missed out on a few things, and had to make difficult choices to continue the sport at such a high level while fitting everything into my packed routine. I try not losing out on my social life and nights out with friends and have to make healthier choices in general.”
Her diet and exercise patterns have also been adjusted to fit her lifestyle. “I have become stricter with my diet and I would say I eat quite a lot, but ensure it is healthy food. I have also had to become stricter with my recovery because as you get older these things make a big difference. I try to rest more and prevent any injuries.” But of course, there’s always time to unwind. Amy usually does this by spending time outdoors with her family and friends. Her dog is usually in the picture too - great stress-reliever!
Although the future is never certain, Amy does wish to continue swimming as long as she’s still enjoying it. “I believe so many Maltese athletes stop at a young age, which is a real pity. I am lucky that my family is extremely supportive and help me with whatever I need.”
On a more professional level, Amy comments, “You could probably say that I am already swimming at a professional level. In fact I have just finished a B.Sc Hons. in Sport and Physical Activity, and although I am not paid to train, I decided to be fully committed to swimming to see where it will take me.”
Her sponsorship with Teamsport and Scitec Nutrition is already a good sign, but here’s hoping we see Amy conquering swimming pools across the globe as a professional swimmer for years to come.