With a spectacular Opening Ceremony at the Granaries in Floriana opened the 19th edition of the Games of the Small States of Europe in Malta.

The delegation of Andorra was first at the nation’s parade and was followed by athletes from Cyprus, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, San Marino, Monaco, Montenegro and Malta.

GSSE veterans Carol Cassar Torregiani and Helen Asciak were the final torch bearers that lit the flame of the games.

Maltese Sports Minister Clifton Grafta has expressed his confidence that the Games of the Small States of Europe will strengthen relationships between the nine participating nations during the Opening Ceremony.

His appearance was followed by short speeches from Malta Olympic Committee President Julian Pace Bonello, European Olympic Committee President Spyros Capralos and the concluding speech from Malta Prime Minister Robert Abela who officially declared the Games of the Small States of Europe Open.  A fireworks display brought this colourful ceremony to an end.

The ICMG Secretary General Iakovos Filippousis, invited by the NOC of Malta President and ICMG Executive Committee member Julian Pace Bonello, represented the International Committee of Mediterranean Games at the Opening Ceremony.

He also attended the Conference of Sports Ministers and had the opportunity for productive meetings, aiming to further develop the Olympic Movement in the Mediterranean countries along with Spyros Capralos, President of European Olympic Committees and the Hellenic Olympic Committee, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, President of Monegasque Olympic Committee, George Chrysostomou, President of Cyprus Olympic Committee and HRH the Grand Duke of Luxembourg Henri, President of the National Olympic Committee of Luxembourg.