Colourful start in Andorra

A delayed opening ceremony officially heralded the start of the 11th Games of the Small States of Europe last night at the Camp de MI Consell General city stadium in Andorra La Vella.

Double Trap shooter William Chetcuti carried the Malta flag during the official march past at the compact venue.

Our contingent of 64 athletes, only bigger than the modest one of Liechtenstein with 37, was headed by Malta Olympic Committee Director of Sport and chef-de-mission Pippo Psaila.

The Maltese group was fourth in the parade behind Iceland, Liechtenstein and Luxembourg.

Naturally, the biggest cheer was reserved for the hosts who are fielding the second biggest contingent for these Games - 132 athletes, double the size of the one they presented in Malta two years ago.

For Chetcuti it was the third time he carried the Malta flag in a major event after he had the honour to do so in the 2002 Commonwealth Games, in Manchester, and last year's Athens Olympics... a rare feat for a Maltese sportsman.

The main guest was International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge, who showed up 35 minutes late. Andorra Organising Committee chairman Manuel Fernandez and Andorra Olympic Committee president Jaume Marti were seated next to Rogge.

Former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch, of Spain, was also present.

Both Rogge and Fernandez addressed those present and made an emphasis on Fair Play but the highlight of the ceremony came when Andorra's co-prince Episcopal and head of state, Joan Enric Vives, declared the Games open.

His announcement was greeted with a huge roar of approval from the appreciative Andorrans.

Other distinguished personalities at yesterday's opening ceremony included royal members from Liechtenstein and Monaco and high-ranking officials from the European Olympic Committee.

The theme of the ceremony narrated the story of a young athlete who fights against adversity as she bids to fulfil her dream of striking success in sport.

Several young performers, all dressed in colourful attire, took part in the presentation highlighted by rhythmic and, at times, acrobatic dancing with the dazzling laser lights flashing in the background.

The official anthem, "The Flame in the Hands", was performed by Andorra artist Estefania Alimbair as the torch was lit in the Olympic urn.

Home shooter Joan Tomas took the athletes' oath with the Olympic flag in his hand and the ceremony drew to a close at around 11.10 p.m. with a cracking fireworks display that lit the dark skies.

According to the latest statistics issued by the organising committee, there will be 800 athletes competing in the six-day mini-Olympics.

The GSSE '05 has attracted considerable interest from international media.

More than 200 journalists are in the pocket Pyrenees nation to cover the Games. Besides media personnel from the eight participating nations, there are others from Spain, Germany, France, United States and the United Kingdom.