16th edition gets under way in Reykjavik

The 16th edition of the Games for European Small States got under way yesterday evening with a spectacular Opening Ceremony at the Laugardalsholl Sports Hall in Reykjavik.

The ceremony included the march past of athletes and officials in which the Maltese contingent was led by flag bearer Eleanor Bezzina (Shooting) and William Beck, the Chef de Mission.

The Maltese contingent includes 58 athletes.

Nine nations are taking part, that is, Andorra, Cyprus, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro and San Marino.

Malta is taking part in athletics, basketball, beach volleyball, golf, gymnastics, judo, shooting, swimming, table-tennis and tennis.

Around 706 athletes from the nine countries are taking part in this edition in which there will be 200 events.

Among the distinguished guests attending the ceremony was Prince Albert of Monaco, who is also the president of the Monaco Olympic Committee.

It started with the flag raising ceremony. It was followed by the marchpast of the athletes and after the address by the president of the Iceland Olympic Committee Lars Blondal, two athletes took the oath on behalf of all the participating athletes.

The Olympic flame was later lit to the applause of all those present before the President of Iceland, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson declared the Games officially open.