GSSE · Malta 1993

Malta had the honour of hosting the 5th Games of the Small States of Europe in 1993. The Games were officially inaugurated at a spectacular Ceremony under the floodlights of the National Stadium at Ta’ Qali, in the presence of the President of the International Olympic Committee, Juan Antonio Samaranch; The President of Malta, Dr. Censu Tabone; The Minister for Youth and the Arts, Dr. M. Frendo; The Chairman of the Malta Olympic Committee, Magistrate Gino Camilleri; and the athletes, officials, representatives and supporters of the participating nations.

The Opening Ceremony

The Flame was lit on the eve of the Games in the unique setting of the megalithic temples of Ggantija in Gozo. After being taken around the sister island in relays (first runner, athlete Charles Cioffi) where it remained for the night, another group of runners carried it through many towns and villages in Malta in time for it to arrive at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium where the Opening Ceremony was held presided by H.E. Dr. Censu Tabone, President of Malta.

H.E. J.A. Samaranch, President of the IOC headed the list of distinguished guests who came to Malta for the Games. These included Prince Henri, Grand Duke Hereditary of Luxembourg, M. Oscar Ribas Reig, President of the Executive Council of the Government of Andorra, Prince Albert of Monaco, the Presidents of the respective Olympic Committees and other guests. Also present were the Hon. Dr. Eddie Fenech Adami, Prime Minister, Dr. L Gonzi, Speaker of the House, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament and their wives.

With the whole arena covered with a blue carpet (the same one used for the Barcelona Olympiad ceremony) depicting the Mediterranean, some 14,000 spectators witnessed a one-and-a-half hour pageantry of light, colour and history, which started off with five parachutists descending gracefully in the middle of the pitch. This was followed by hundreds of schoolchildren who, after forming the Olympic rings, crouched down to form the words “Malta” and “Merhba” (Welcome).

Scenes showing the struggle of man and his quest for peace followed by a hugh colourful float preceded the multi-coloured March past. Naturally the loudest cheer was reserved for the Maltese contingent who, as hosts, marched last behind the Maltese Flag proudly carried by Carol Curmi, our most successful tennis player in the Games.

Speeches were made by Mag. Dr. Gino Camilleri, by Dr. Michael Frendo and by H.E. J.A. Samaranch before the Games were declared open by H.E. Dr. Censu Tabone, President of Malta.

The Torch, on reaching the stadium, was carried for half a lap on horseback by Salvu Darmanin, Malta’s foremost polo player and then Carmel Busuttil our national soccer captain took over to light with it the imposing urn opposite the VIP stand.

The oath for the athletes was read out together by Laurie Pace, the judoka (bronze medallist in the Commonwealth Games) and by Gerald Degaetano (silver medal winner in the 10,000m in Andorra). Tony Micallef, National Basketball referee did the same on behalf of all officials. The Games song ‘Getting Together’ was sung by Moira Stafrace and Michael Spiteri. A spectacular fireworks display brought the ceremony to an end.

The Malta Games can be summed up in just a brief analysis.

Iceland who again triumphed in the final medal list won 23 of its 36 gold medals in swimming. One must surely single our Arnar and Magnus Olafsson who shared between them 12 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze medals as well as Bryndis Olafsdottir who was accredited with no less than 7 golds. A magnificent catch indeed! Moreover Iceland had the distinct honour of establishing 13 new records in the pool. Iceland went on to register another 9 golds in Athletics, 3 in Judo and 1 in Basketball.

On the other hand Cyprus again showed supremacy in athletics. So much so that 18 of their 26 golds were obtained on the track and field. In swimming Cyprus gained 9 wins with the other two in volleyball and shooting respectively.

So it was evident that these two nations who have proved in each edition to be head and shoulders above all the other States, continued to rely heavily on their favourite sport: Iceland in swimming and Cyprus in athletics.

Luxembourg caused some surprise for although they again finished third, their final medal tally was not as impressive as in the previous editions. In fact they could only muster 8 firsts – a very poor consolation indeed when compared with their excellent showings in the past.

The only Country, which failed to be among the gold medallists in Malta, was Andorra.

Maltese competitors rose to the occasion brilliantly and regaled the crowds who filled all venues with some pulsating and at times dramatic performances. Although retaining its 5th place overall, Malta won no less than 31 medals – by far the best achievement in these Games. In fact, Maltese athletes were among the medal winners in seven of the nine sports contested missing out in cycling and volleyball.

Pride of place goes, of course, to the gold medallists. Helen Asciak and Carol Curmi stepped on the top rung of the victory rostrum for the fourth consecutive edition, unrivalled in the Women’s Doubles. An unbeatable record! Theirs was another shining show of all round supremacy over all rivals. Not to be outdone Gordon Asciak and Chris Gatt also struck gold in the Men’s Doubles to the delight and joy of the overflowing stands in the center court. For Helen and Gordon Asciak this must have been the first husband and wife gold in the same sport in these Games. Carol Curmi progressed steadily to the final in the Singles and although emerging on the losing side, her silver meant that in Tennis, Malta contested three finals out of a possible four.

Jacqueline Xuereb reached unprecedented heights at the sports pavilion in Gozo taming all opposition to stand proudly facing the Malta flag during the playing of the National Anthem, her medal secure around her neck for the first ever gold in Judo.

Jean Paul Fleri Soler must have had the biggest thrill and satisfaction of his life when after placing 3rd in Monaco; being deprived of a ‘sure’ gold in Cyprus and with yachting not included in the programme in Andorra, he sailed supreme in masterly fashion to take the gold which had eluded him for so long.
The seven silver were evenly distributed. Henry Tabone was instrumental in adding to Malta’s collection when he finished a close runner-up in the Laser Class.

Laurie Pace, succumbing only in the last 11 seconds to Brigit Blum (LIE) could not hide her delusion in not gaining gold and had to be content with the second placing.

In athletics, Deirdre Caruana ran a perfectly planned and executed 200m to strike silver and she was also a member of the record breaking 4 x100m relay team together with Elain Zammit, Marika Montebello and Sandra Meli-Scerri who had the large crowd on its feet as they surpassed themselves reaching for another silver.

Katya Pace who in Andorra broke the medal barrier for swimming excelled herself by striking twice: individually in the 100m breast and in the 4x100m medley together with Susan Smith, Gail Rizzo and Roberta Stellini. Newcomer Susan Smith won most medals adding 4 bronzes to her silver. (50m, 100m, 800m free; 100m butterfly).

The fact that Malta won 20 bronze medals is very significant indeed for not only does it show the vast all round improvement attained on the previous editions; but it also is indicative of the rich potential eagerly awaiting to climb the next step.

The two other third placing in swimming was obtained by Gail Rizzo (100m black) and Roberta Stellini (200m butterfly). Our swimmers could have added another bronze for the 4 x 100m free relay but were disqualified as they could not hold back their excitement and jumped back in the pool before the race was completely over.

Athletics were a close second in the bronze awards with 5 third berths. Carol Galea set pattern on the first day in the 800m with a repeat on the last day in the 1,500m. There was no holding Frida Thordardottir (ISL) who is based in America and who chalked up a hat trick winning the aforementioned two events as well as the 3,000m in which Carol placed fourth setting a new National record as she did for the 800m.

Jennifer Hickey Pace though nowhere near the record reached in the Los Angeles Olympiad was nonetheless justifiably all smiles for the third place in the Javelin.

In the men’s division, Malta’s two medals came in the relays: 4x100m (D. Mifsud, M. Bonello, K. Tonna, R. Chricop); and 4x400m (M. Sullivan, T. Sammut, M. Bonello, X. Grech). In both these races new times were recorded.

John Tabone (Laser) finished just 0.8 behind his brother Henry, whilst Andrew Wilson added another bronze in the Lechner to bring yachting’s total to 4 medals in two events.

The bronze column for Malta continued to swell with 4 more in Judo: J. Zammit, J. Trevisan, M. Cassar and Carolina Attard while Emanuel Abela in the trap broke new ground by becoming the first ever Maltese to win a medal for shooting in the Games. He was leading half way through but then his form deserted him finishing five clays behind the eventual winner Alfio Tomassoni (SMR). Philip Busuttil emulated Abela in Double Trap missing silver by one point and just two hits behind the winner Maurizio Zonzini’s (RSM) total of 166.

The women’s basketball team made up for the rather unlucky men’s showing. In a decisive nail biting finish against Cyprus our girls sent the packed pavilion in a delirium as they snatched a 39-36 victory with the very last throws of the match to round up Malta’s bronze haul to 20.

The Closing Ceremony

The Games were hailed as a huge success from all angles and gave the Maltese public something to be proud of in sport. Praise was showered by all foreign delegations. In his concluding speech Mag. Dr. Gino Camilleri reflected the atmosphere prevailing by saying that all Malta was united as one during the Games, which were characterized by a spirit of solidarity and friendship.

Another colourful pageant this time depicting Maltese festas and traditions set all participants including the protagonists themselves in a festive, joyful mood. A big round of applause echoed all round the National Stadium as the Liechtenstein contingent carried a banner “Grazzi Malta” (Thank you Malta). Similarly deafening clapping and cheering greeted the Malta contingent who blazoned another banner: “Thank You Supporters” in recognition of the unfailing backing they received throughout the Games.

Mag. Dr. Gino Camilleri handed the Games Flag to M. Norbert Haupert, President of the Luxembourg Olympic Committee where the Games will be held in 1995, and as the Flame was extinguished and the lights were dimmed another unforgettable fireworks display brought the curtain down on a most successful edition of the Games of the Small States of Europe.

The Sporting Disciplines

Athletics
Swimming
Basketball
Volleyball
Tennis
Judo
Shooting
Cycling
Yachting

The Venues

Athletics - Marsa Athletic Track, Marsa
Basketball - Basketball Complex, Ta’ Qali
Cycling - Mosta Centre, Mosta
Judo – Gozo Sports Complex, Gozo
Tennis – Marsa Sports Club, Marsa
Shooting – Bidnija Shooting Range, Bidnija
Yachting – Mellieha Bay Hotel, Mellieha
Swimming – National Swimming Pool, Msida
Volleyball – Corradino Sports Pavilion, Corradino & De La Salle College, Cottonera

Information:
Lewis Portelli “The Games of the Small States of Europe – From San Marino to Malta”
Maltese Medallists

Partners (1993)

Malta Post
Coca-Cola
Airmalta
Super 5
Cisk – Farsons
Mars
FBT (Clothing for Maltese Contingent)

Co-Sponsors (1993)

Enemalta Corporation
Sea Malta Co. Ltd.
Central Cigarette Co Ltd
Tug Malta Co. Ltd
National Tourism Organisation
Telecell Ltd
Angelo Xuereb Ltd
Casma Ltd – Casino
Bank of Valletta Ltd
Malta Maritime Authority
Devlands Ltd
SMW Cortis Ltd
Forestal Appliances Ltd
E.O.R.C. Ltd – Algida/Flora
Malta International Business Authority Computer Solutions Ltd
Middle Sea Insurance Co Ltd
Office Electronics Ltd
Ozzie Limited – Reebok
J.V.C. Professional
Roger Satariano & Son Ltd – Floorgres
Louis Carabott Jewellers - Marsa

Others (1993)

Malta Development Corporation
Kinds
Telemalta Corporation
Flamingo Ltd
Management Systems Unit
Time International – Nike
Malta Council for Science and Technology University of Malta
Armed Forces of Malta
Wembley Car Hire
DHL Calypso Hotel
Design Element Ltd
Gozo Channel Co. Ltd
Public Broadcasting Services Ltd
Malta Football Association
St. Georges Park Complex
The Malta Police Force
Dragonara Hotel
Tandem Ltd
Malta Hilton International
Tubeline Ltd

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