Small Nations Games next year in Monaco

Representatives of the Montenegrin Olympic Committee - Deputy Secretary General Maja Peković and member of the Technical Commission Ivan Ječmenica, participated in the regular General Assembly of the Games of the Small States of Europe (IMZE), which was held on Friday, May 8, in Monaco, the host city of the next, XXI edition of the competition.

The Assembly was opened by IMZE President Ivet Lambin Berti, who introduced the delegates to the work flow and presented an overview of the Committee's activities since the previous session.

Reports on the administrative, financial and sports-technical aspects of the work were presented by Secretary General Michelle Tusch and President of the Technical Commission Manfred Schreiber.

The delegates' discussion also raised broader issues of importance to small sports systems, from the coordination of competition calendars, to strengthening the capacities of national teams, to ways in which member states can share experiences in preparatory cycles. A special part of the session was dedicated to a report on the XX Games of the Small States of Europe, held last year in Andorra, as well as a report on preparations for the next games, which will be hosted by the Principality of Monaco in 2027.

It has been confirmed that the Monaco Games will be held from May 17 to 23, 2027, and the Heads of Mission Seminar, as the last coordination stop before the national teams' performance, is scheduled for April of the same year.

During the Assembly's work, one change to the competition program was also adopted. After the Organizer informed the delegates that, due to technical limitations, they would not be able to organize the 3x3 basketball tournament on the scheduled date, the Assembly decided to withdraw this discipline from the program and replace it with golf.

The session was preceded by technical tours of the competition venues. Delegates visited the sports cluster in Fontvieille, where competitions in athletics, swimming, gymnastics, judo, table tennis, shooting, water polo and bocce will take place during the Games, while on the second working day, a tour of the remaining facilities intended for sailing, tennis, rugby, volleyball and beach volleyball is planned.

The hosts also hosted a reception for the participants at the Prince's Palace of Monaco, and the gala dinner was also attended by Prince Albert II.