The Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE) consist of a multi-sport event, organized every two years, featuring the National Olympic Committees of European small states. Instituted during the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 1984, these Games are reserved for athletes hailing from 9 participating countries, these being Andorra, Cyprus, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Monaco and San Marino. All countries are independent states and members of the European Olympic Committee (EOC).
Montenegro joined in 2009 and participated for the first time in the 2011 edition. Member countries all have a population of less than one million people, with Cyprus being the only exception, although its population was below one million in 1984. The Games are especially designed to cater for the small size of the participating states.
The first Games took place in San Marino in 1985. In 1993, Malta hosted the 5th Edition of the GSSE which saw the organizational level of the Games develop further due to an increase in the number of sports offered. Malta again hosted the GSSE event between the 2nd and 7th of June 2003, this being the 10th Edition.
Malta 2023 is the 19th Edition of the Games and will see the organization of a total of ten different sports held within eleven different venues between the 29th May and 3rd June 2023. The event will attract contingents of over 1,200 athletes, including the related contingents. The sporting disciplines will consist of athletics, basketball, judo, rugby 7s, sailing, shooting, squash, swimming, table-tennis and tennis. The Games promise to be an exciting, colourful and fun experience.
PUKA is the official mascot of the 2023 Games of the Small States of Europe. The name is a derivative of "lampuka", the dorado fish which is synonymous with the Maltese Islands. The vibrant colours that the lampuka is known for were used as a point of departure during the design stage. The mascot visual brings together elements of Maltese culture, island vibrancy and the friendly nature of the Maltese people. Colourful and dynamic PUKA represents and symbolises the values of the upcoming Games in a sporty and fun way.
