Galea's Road to Beijing 2022

Life is full of projects that will bring light to many unwritten chapters of the special moments we choose to go after; so seek them and be relentlessly persistent towards discovering the possibilities and enjoy the adventures that they will bring.

Ever wonder what it takes to put a vision into practice when all you have to start with is a crazy idea and little to no understanding of where to even begin, but thriving on a burning hearts desire to simply make it happen? Well my answer to this is why wait and simply start now! 

My name is Shannon Galea who is avid lover of all things sports, adventure, health and wellness. I retired happily from playing softball professionally 3 years ago after living in 7 different countries while competing in 6 international sport federations to help grow and develop the sport for young women. From this experience, I gained a growing perspective on the power of sport which lead me to my current role in working behind the scenes with Team Canada on a program called Game Plan. Our program focuses on the importance of athlete wellness while taking a holistic approach in preparing our athletes on and off the field of play and for life after sport.

Last April, I established the Malta Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation under the @ibsfsliding. A big thank you to the Maltese Olympic Committee in finalizing its establishment of Malta's new sport federation. However, to compete as an athlete, I will still be obligated, as part of the condition, to own all administrative responsibilities.

After 4 years of researching, sport policy writing, WADA code compliance, application for an international federation membership, 488 emails, 12 pages of written rules and bylaws = 1 CONSTITUTION that will create opportunity, participation and Olympic/Paralympic sized dreams for a new small nation that will be added to the sport of Skeleton and Bobsleigh! This little island off of the Mediterranean is about to learn what is cold, Cool Runnings 2.0. style.

After 3 seasons of venturing into the world of sliding, I am ready to share a journey about what it takes to start at ground zero, and more importantly, adding a new nation, my second homeland, Malta to the Olympic/Para Movement in winter sport. After 28 years in the sport of softball, 46 countries travelled, 6 of those years professionally in NL, Italy, NZ, AUS, Belgium and Malta, where developing the sport in various communities was part of the behind the scenes in rebuilding the sport’s development streams for nations chasing the Tokyo2020 dream as hopefuls. I am more than ready to tackle the new challenge of building a nation’s culture of sport from afar. I’m also grateful for my successful university sport career in squash, rowing and track and field.

So the journey begins, in front have these rings in hopes to create opportunity for further participation for a small nation.... oh and, “Let’s “Put women’s sports on T.V.” 

Thank you for taking the time to read and support this initiative, even if it’s simply for a good cheer!

International Women's Day: https://www.ibsf.org/en/news/22139-happy-international-women-s-day-2021-with-some-inspirational-stories-of-our-female-athletes-and-staff 

2021 Rankings: https://www.ibsf.org/en/races-results/rankings?season=2020&ctype=6&session=AC