SIMONOVIC: We are very interested to participate at the Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE). It will be possible, as well, being that our Olympic Committee has been accepted by the IOC Small States of Europe are waiting for Montenegro From 4 – 9 June, Monaco host the XII Games of the Small States of Europe. As for Montenegro, our athletes will participate at the next Games, to be held in 2009. "We are very interested in participation at the Games of the Small States of Europe. Unfortunately, this year it was impossible, because the Games are to be held prior to the General Assembly of the International Olympic Committee in Guatemala City, planned for the beginning of July, when we expect the MOC to be officially acknowledged by the IOC", says Dušan Simonović, the President of the MOC. This competition, organized under patronage of the European Olympic Committee, was established in 1985, after the proposal by the Malt Olympic Committee. During the same year, first Games were organized in San Marino. Countries that are located in Europe and have a population of less than one million, are eligible to participate at this European competition ("Games of the Small States of Europe", GSSE). The participating countries are Andorra, Cyprus, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco and San Marino. The President of the MOC: Dušan Simonović The President of the Monaco OC: Albert of Monaco The Faroe Islands (group of islands between the Norvegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean), although already recognized by FIFA, is seeking recognition by the IOC for the purpose of participating in these games (FIFA has already recognised them for its football competitions).. On this Games athletes are competing in 12 sports: athletics, basketball, gymnastics, judo, shooting, sailing, swimming, table tennis, bowls (similar to bocce), tennis, beach volleyball and volleyball. Previous events have included cycling, bocce and squash. This year's Games of the Small States of Europe will be opened by Prince Albert of Monaco, who is the President of the Olympic Committee of Monaco, and at the same time a member of the IOC. Chef de Mission of the Montenegrin Olympic Mission, Boro Mracevic, who is a well known sport worker and who was involved in the Swimming-Water Polo Federation for years, is certain that theses Games are very interesting for Montenegro, and that, Montenegro could show lots of success if it is to participate. "Every international competition has great importance for our athletes. During the Games, future Olympic contestants and competitors for European and World Championships are being formed. Together with Djordje Kustudic, the Secretary General of the MOC, Mracevic will be present in Riga (Latvia) from 24 to 26 May, on the 28th Seminar for Chefs de Missions and Secretaries General of the National Olympic Committees. Invitation for participation of Montenegrin representatives says that the MOC is already recognised in the International Olympic bodies. "As we already know, from 22 to 27 July this year, the IX Youth Festival will be organized in Belgrade, under patronage of the European Olympic Committee. It is not excluded that young athletes from Montenegro will participate in it. We expect the invitation from the organizer", says Simonovic.
