Montenegro 2019

The Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE)

The Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE) are an Olympic, multi-sport competition featuring athletes from the small countries of the European continent. Since 1985, the GSSE have been held every two years and are currently bringing together nine countries: Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, San Marino, Malta, Monaco, Cyprus and Montenegro.

The idea for Games of the Small States of Europe was initiated at the European Olympic Committee meetings, when the representatives of small states posed an idea of ​​establishing a small-states-only competition consisting of several sports. The first Congress was held in Baden-Baden in 1981, where the National Olympic Committees of eight small European states discussed how the Games for their athletes should be organized.

GSSE were founded in 1984, during the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The initiative to form such an association was supported by then-president of the IOC Juan Antonio Samaranch, who saw it as a unique opportunity to spread the spirit and vision of the Olympic movement.

Games are organized according to the rules of international federations, with the support of the European Olympic Committee. The organization of the Games of the Small States of Europe in Montenegro is based on a concept of an Olympic, functional, cost-effective and safe athletic competition with great international importance; one which will ensure a one-of-a-kind athletic event to its participants.

GSSE Montenegro 2019, organized by the Montenegrin Olympic Committee, gets under way on May 27, 2019!