 | |
| Country |  Malta |
|---|---|
| Nations | 8 |
| Events | 105 in 10 sports |
| Opening | 2 June 2003 |
| Closing | 7 June 2003 |
| Opened by | Guido de Marco |
| Website | www.nocmalta.org/gsse.htm |
The2003 Games of the Small States of Europe, or theXth Games of the Small States of Europe, were held inValletta,Malta from June 2 to 7, 2003. Valletta previously hosted thegames in 1993. Malta was not due to host the Games again until 2009, but a strong bid helped them to gain the games six years early.[1] Administration of the games was done jointly by the Maltese Ministry of Education and theMalta Olympic Committee. The games were declared open by PresidentGuido de Marco on June 2.
The 2003 edition of theGames of the Small States of Europe was attended by all of the eligible nations. Eligible nations are European states with fewer than 1 million citizens. A total of 820 athletes from the eight eligible nations competed, the highest ever; 803 had attended the 1993 Games in Malta and the2005 Games in Andorra had 793 participants. The host nation Malta had 156 athletes, the most of any nation.Cyprus sent 143 competitors. TheIcelandic delegation was 133 participants.Luxembourg also had 113 representatives.Monaco andSan Marino came with 89 and 78 athletes, respectively.Andorra brought 66 participants, less than half of the total they would bring to the 2005 Games.Liechtenstein had the smallest delegation, bringing only 42 athletes.
Competitions in the 2003 Games were held in ten disciplines.
Numbers in parentheses indicate the number of medal events contested in each sport.
The theme song of the 2003 Games of the Small States was called “Reaching Higher” and continued in with the traditional themes of such music for international competitions. “Reaching Higher” was performed at the opening ceremonies byIra Losco, a Maltese singer who had gained prominence in theEurovision Song Contest 2002 representing Malta.
The mascot of the 2003 Games was Elmo, a cartoon-illustratedPikeman. The official descriptions of Elmo state that he was chosen as mascot because Pikemen, as well as athletes, both need “a combination of physical preparation and a strong will to achieve success.”[2]
The official emblem for the 2003 Games is based around eight points. These eight points have two meanings: they resemble the Maltese Cross, a traditional symbol of Malta, and represent the eight competing members of the Games of the Small States of Europe.[2] The logos colours incorporate the colours of the flags of participant nations.
* Host nation (Malta)
| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Cyprus (CYP) | 34 | 20 | 27 | 81 |
| 2 |  Luxembourg (LUX) | 21 | 17 | 15 | 53 |
| 3 |  Iceland (ISL) | 20 | 24 | 23 | 67 |
| 4 | Malta (MLT)* | 11 | 18 | 15 | 44 |
| 5 |  Monaco (MON) | 7 | 7 | 10 | 24 |
| 6 |  San Marino (SMR) | 6 | 10 | 9 | 25 |
| 7 |  Andorra (AND) | 4 | 6 | 8 | 18 |
| 8 |  Liechtenstein (LIE) | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| Totals (8 entries) | 105 | 103 | 109 | 317 | |
Most of the events were concentrated in and around Valletta, but very few took place in Valletta proper. Swimming events took place at theNational Swimming Pool Complex, which is also where the official offices of the Malta Olympic Committee are located. The swimming complex is under the scope of theUniversity of Malta.
Adjacent to the Swimming Complex, and also on the university campus, was the sports complex where basketball games were held. Both events were inMsida, near Valletta. Tennis and squash were held at the sporting in club inMarsa, south of Valletta. Also located in Marsa is the Maltese National Athletics Stadium, known as theMatthew Micallef St. John Athletics Stadium.
Athletics events were held at the stadium, which underwent upgrades in preparation for the Games.[4] Judo took place in the Sporting Pavilion atSt. Aloysius’ College inBirkirkara. The volleyball events took place at two different locations in two different cities. Women's volleyball took place at theCottonera Sports Complex inCospicua. Men's volleyball took place in theCorradino Sports Complex inPaola, a few miles south.
Among the events held further from Valletta were the sailing events. Sailing events took place in atSt. Paul's Bay at the New Dolmen Beach Resort. Shooting events took place inBidnija.
All events but one took place on Malta, this being table tennis that was held at the Gozo Sports Complex in Rabat, also known asVictoria, Malta.
