06 April 2019 - The Montenegrin Olympic Committee is entering the final stage of preparation for the Games of the Small States of Europe 2019, which will be held in Montenegro from May 27 to June 1.
Over 900 athletes from nine countries will compete in ten disciplines, and the competitions will be held in Budva, Bar, Podgorica, Cetinje and Tivat.
Representatives of all national Olympic Committees - Heads of Mission, as well as members of the Technical Committee of the Games of Small States of Europe, are currently on an official visit to Montenegro in order to assess all the facilities in which the competitions will be held as well as the accommodation capacities. The aforementioned representatives will receive all other necessary information about the organization of the first multi-sport competition and the most massive sports events ever held in Montenegro.
"I think that our guests are extremely pleased with what they have seen so far, the facilities we have and the conditions in which we will welcome them at the end of May," said Predrag Marsenić, the Sports Director of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee.
"The basketball hall in Bar is great and the pool as well. A small problem has been determined in relations with the athletic track, but everything will be corrected in due time, I'm positive. We are eagerly waiting for the games to start. We are sending 50 athletes and we hope that we will return with medals, "said Jordi Orteu, representative of the Andorran Olympic Committee.
Olga Piperidou, a representative of The Cyprus Olympic Committee, is convinced that Montenegro would be a good host. "We see a great desire of Montenegrin Olympic Committee representatives to get everything ready in time, and based on what we have seen so far; they will succeed in making this a great event. We look forward to coming here shortly, and I believe that Cyprus will have a good team ready to compete on a high level, "she said.
The Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE) are an Olympic, multi-sport competition featuring athletes from the small countries of the European continent. Since 1985, the GSSE have been held every two years and are currently bringing together nine countries: Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, San Marino, Malta, Monaco, Cyprus and Montenegro.
For competitors from these countries, this is a manifestation of great prestige, but also a real sport festival - the Olympic Games for small countries.
"We are particularly proud of the fact that, for the first time ever, the swimming competition within the Games of the Small States of Europe 2019 will be qualifying for the Olympic Games in Tokyo," emphasized Marsenić.
Games are organized according to the rules of international federations, with the support of the European Olympic Committee. The organization of the Games of the Small States of Europe in Montenegro is based on a concept of an Olympic, functional, cost-effective and safe athletic competition with great international importance; one which will ensure a one-of-a-kind athletic event to its participants.
GSSE Montenegro 2019, organized by the Montenegrin Olympic Committee, gets underway on May 27, 2019!
