Start of GSSE 2023

A short but spectacular opening cere‐ mony yesterday at the graneries in Flori‐ ana gave way to the 19th edition of the Games of the Small States of Europe.

All nine participating countries made their entry and later world known tenor Joseph Calleja sang the national anthem. Tennis player Elaine Genovese and track and field sprinter Matthew Galea Soler who carried Malta’s flag.

Eleonor Bezzina read the athletes’ oath with Mario Bonello reading the oaths for coaches and David Bonello reading the oaths for officials.

Other moments from yesterday’s open‐ ing ceremony included the carrying of the Malta flag and that of the Gasmes of the Small States of Europe.

These flags were carried by Diane Borg, Katya Pace, Marcon Bezzina, Johanna Grech, and Nicole Caruana.

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

The final torch bearers included special olympics athlete Nicole Caruana, para‐ lympian Maya Theuma, former sailing GSSE medallist Mario Aquilina, shooter William Chetcuti, and veteran bowler Sue Abela.

There were short speeches from Sports Minister Clifton Grima, 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 colour‐ ful ceremony to an end.

Now the athletes will take centre stage with the firts medals being assigned today.

The two major olympic disciplines, ath‐ letics and swimming will be in the spot‐ light today with ten titles assigned in athletics, twelve in swimming and another seven titles in Judo.

Basketball, Tennis and squash will re‐ sume, with other disciplines like sailing, shooting and table tennis having their first taste of action.