Malta 2003 - One hundred days to go

The Games of the Small States of Europe in Malta next June are in the home stretch. Only 100 days remain for the opening ceremony which will herald the 10th edition of the Games.

Following a ten-year absence, the Malta 2003 games promise to be the best ever with the largest number of athletes, officials and technical delegates who will number close to 1,500 people.

The opening will be held on Monday, June 2 and will pave the way for five days of hectic competition in ten different disciplines, namely, swimming, athletics, shooting, squash, judo, tennis, table-tennis, sailing, basketball and volleyball.

The local public will be able to witness, at first hand, the joy and tears that such events evoke, as entrance to all competitions will be free of charge.

A decade ago, the event mobilised the whole nation as hundreds of spectators filled the terraces of each venue.

This time around, the Malta Olympic Committee is confident that its athletes will register one of the best results ever at these Games and these should spur the sporting public to flock to the venues and give their support to local athletes.

Gozo will also experience a taste of the Games as all table-tennis events will be contested at the Victoria Sports Complex.

While athletes are actively fine-tuning their training programme to establish the minimum qualifying standards established by the Malta Olympic Committee, hundreds of volunteers who will provide a service during the actual games are undergoing training sessions.

Meanwhile, federations are checking that all the necessary equipment has been ordered and installed. Some associations have already taken it upon themselves to organise international tournaments which serve as a dress rehearsal for the actual event in June.

Maltese athletes already know what the medals up for grabs look like as these were unveiled during a rally for volunteers and athletes earlier this month.

Works are currently being undertaken on the Olympic urn that will proudly hold the Olympic flame which will remain lit throughout the days of competition. Designs for the Olympic torches that will be used for the symbolic lighting of the flame have been submitted and the project is expected to be completed over the coming few weeks.

International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge and the Royal Prince of Monaco are expected to be among the dignitaries who will visit Malta for the opening ceremony.