The Aquatic Sports Association of Malta has appointed experienced Greek coach Dimitris Athymaritis as its new National Swimming Technical Director.

Athymaritis took up the role on September 1 on an initial three-year term and will oversee the development and implementation of a unified National Swimming Programme covering all levels, from Learn-to-Swim to Elite competition.

He will work closely with coaches from all ASA-affiliated clubs and will also serve as National Swimming Coach at international competitions, overseeing the selection and preparation of eligible Maltese swimmers.

Athymaritis will also be responsible for performance planning and the ongoing assessment of swimmers forming part of the Elite and Junior Development Progression Programme.

The Greek coach arrives in Malta with more than three decades of experience, having worked with several clubs in his homeland, including Ethnikos Piraeus SC, N.O. Patron SC, A.N.O. Argyroupolis SC and Ilyssiakos SC.

Since 2015, he has served as a National Federation Coach responsible for Greece’s Elite Swimmers Development Programme. He had previously served as a National Federation Coach between 1998 and 2000.

Swimmers coached by Athymaritis have represented Greece at European Senior and Junior Championships, the Mediterranean Games and World Championships.

Athletes under his guidance have also competed at four successive Olympic Games – London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024.

Athymaritis was also Competition Area Supervisor at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education and Sport Science from TEFAA Athens, where he graduated with distinction and specialised in swimming. He has also completed a course in Exercise Physiology at Stanford University Medicine.

Athymaritis is a member of the World Swimming Coaches Association, American Swimming Coaches Association and Australian Swimming Coaches & Teachers Association.

His experience also extends to coach education, having lectured and instructed on several programmes, including as a Guest Lecturer at TEFAA Athens and an Instructor at the Greek Swimming Coaches School.

ASA Malta president Karl Izzo welcomed Athymaritis’s appointment and believes his international experience will prove valuable to the continued development of Maltese swimming.

“We are delighted to welcome Dimitris Athymaritis to the Aquatic Sports Association of Malta,” Izzo said.

“His depth of international coaching experience, and his proven track record of developing swimmers to Olympic level, make him ideally placed to guide the next stage of our National Swimming Program.

“We look forward to working closely with him as we continue to raise the standard of swimming development across all our clubs.”

The ASA said Athymaritis will collaborate closely with club coaches as the association works towards establishing a unified, data-driven approach to athlete development across every level of Maltese swimming.