2007 Games of the Small States of Europe

GSSE infobox|2007

Size = 200
Optional caption =
Nations participating = 8
Events = 124
Opening Ceremony = June 4
Closing Ceremony = June 9
Officially opened by = Prince Albert II
Website = [http://www.monaco2007.mc/ www.monaco2007.mc] The 2007 Games of the Small States of Europe, or the XIIth Games of the Small States of Europe, were held in Monaco from June 4 to June 9, 2007. The Games administration was done jointly by the Monegasque government and Monegasque Olympic Committee. Monaco has previously hosted the games in 1987. Prince Albert II officially opened the Games.

Overview and participation

The 2007 Games will be the first Games of the Small States of Europe without all eligible nations competing. All countries to have previously participated will be returning; however, Montenegro – which joined the Athletic Association of the Small States of Europe in 2006 – will not be sending competitors to the 2007 Games. Delegations, including coaches and team officials, of up to 1,200 people are expected at the 2007 games. [”12th Games of the Small States of Europe – Monaco 2007 : Call for volunteers.” Principality of Monaco, Nov. 11, 2006. http://www.gouv.mc/304/wwwnew.nsf/1909$/88b5addc7a7695e4c1257230004dd8c6gb?OpenDocument&2Gb] These delegations will come from the host nation of Monaco as well as Andorra, Cyprus, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, and San Marino.

Competitions

Competitions in the 2007 Games will be held in twelve disciplines; making it the most diverse Games yet. Taekwondo and Cycling have been removed from the games; however, the volleyball discipline has been separated into beach and traditional, and bowls and gymnastics are making their first appearances in the games.

Highlights

*Two Maltese sailing competitors, Thomas Tabona and Ella Soler, were 13 and 14 years old respectively. [”Official Feature of the Maltese Olympic Committee.” ‘’The Malta Independent.’’ http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=51037]
*Interestingly, landlocked San Marino won a silver medal in sailing.

Medal Count

Venues

The 2007 Games will be using a docked cruise ship as an athlete’s village for all delegations. The ship will be docked along the sea wall in Fontvieille.

Many of the events will also be held in Fontvieille. Stade Louis II, the usual home of AS Monaco, will host athletics, basketball, swimming, and table tennis events. The shooting events will take place indoors on the upper floors of a building in the center of the district as well. [”Monaco 2007 – Sport Events.” Monaco 2007. http://www.monaco2007.mc/vitrine.php?path=50&page=54]

Gymnastics will take place in the Canton Hall, a large event complex in Monaco. Volleyball will take place in the Moneghetti Sports Complex, which is technically in French territory. [”Monaco 2007 – Sport Events.” Monaco 2007. http://www.monaco2007.mc/vitrine.php?path=50&page=54] . Judo events will also be held at an all-purpose gymnasium, the Annonciade Gymnasium. Bowls events are to be held at the Rocher. Tennis will be held in the Monte Carlo district at a prominent country club.

Additionally, many of events in the 2007 Games will take advantage of Monaco’s close proximity to the sea. Beach volleyball events will be held on the most prominent beach in Monaco, Larvotto. Sailing events will take place in the Bay of Monaco, an extension of the Mediterranean Sea.

ee also

*Games of the Small States of Europe
* [http://www.monaco2007.mc/ Monaco 2007]

References