Yesterday evening played host to the annual Gibsport Middle School Athletics Championships. The event pulled in an impressive crowd with over 500 youngsters from a spectrum of Middle Schools in Gibraltar, participating. The evening’s events included Discus, high jump, javelin, long jump, shot put, and a series of races of different lengths.

Commenting on the history of the event, Gibsport Editor and organiser of the event, Tony Avellano explained that he started the championships 22 years ago, a year after the inception of the Gibsport publication, as a way to give something back to the sports community of Gibraltar. Speaking on how the event has developed over the years, Mr. Avellano explained that the first year saw only four Middle Schools participate.

Medals for the different events were presented by His Excellency the Governor, Education Minister and Deputy Mayor of La Linea Asuncion Barranco. Minister for Sports, Steven Linares noted that this event was one of his favourite to attend. He added that he had watched the event every year since its inception. Minister Linares added that it ‘was refreshing to see so many young people who dedicate so much time to training, and who make such colossal efforts all year round, to improve their standards competing so sportingly.’