
Andorra Kicks Off 20th Games of Small States with Historic Opening Ceremony
Opening Ceremony celebrating Andorra’s history and culture opens 20th Games of Small States of Europe
The Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE) officially opened last night with a vibrant and culturally rich Opening Ceremony at the Andorra National Stadium. More than 1,000 athletes from 9 National Olympic Committees (NOCs) will compete across 16 sports until Saturday, 31 May, with this year marking the 40th anniversary of the GSSE’s inaugural edition in San Marino in 1985.
As the curtain rises on a historic week of sporting excellence, ANOC will play a pivotal role in ensuring that the stories, spirit, and athletes of these Games reach a truly global audience.
Celebrating Tradition and Athletic Excellence
The Opening Ceremony, attended by dignitaries including the Prime Minister of the Principality of Andorra Xavier Espot Zamora, ANOC Secretary General Gunilla Lindberg, EOC President Spyros Capralos and IOC President Thomas Bach showcased the folklore and history of the host nation. Highlights included theatrical depictions of legendary Andorran creatures like the Tamarros and Water Women, reflecting the country’s deep connection to nature. The GSSE were officially declared open by the Co-Prince of Andorra, the Bishop of Seu d’Urgell.
The athletes’ parade was a moment of pride and celebration, as the athletes of the 9 NOCs were introduced to an enthusiastic audience. The ceremonial lighting of the Games Cauldron by Paris 2024 Olympians Nahuel Carabaña and Mònica Dòria added an inspiring touch, connecting past achievements with future aspirations.
Empowering Small States on the Global Stage
As the GSSE celebrates its 40th anniversary since the inaugural Games in San Marino in 1985, ANOC’s digital initiatives ensure that this edition in Andorra will be the most visible and globally connected yet.
With a strong partnership with the Organising Committee, ANOC is proud to help highlight the journeys and victories of athletes from Europe’s smallest states, reinforcing the Games’ role as a launchpad to the European Games and the Olympic stage.
ANOC Digital Content Hub: A Game-Changer for NOCs
For the first time in GSSE history, ANOC.tv is streaming the Opening Ceremony and daily competitions live, with up to seven events broadcast simultaneously each day. This initiative reflects ANOC’s commitment to elevating the profile of smaller NOCs and ensuring that their athletes receive the spotlight they deserve.
To streamline and empower digital storytelling, ANOC launched the ANOC Digital Content Hub—a central platform dedicated to distributing media assets in real time. During the Opening Ceremony, ANOC provided NOCs with live clipping highlights and official photography, captured by the Organising Committee’s accredited photographers. These resources were accessible in a timely manner to all nine NOCs via the Hub, enabling timely, professional-quality content for use across their social media channels.
This innovation not only amplifies the Games’ and athletes’ visibility but also significantly eases the communication workflow for NOC media teams. National federations and individual athletes are also able to tap into this resource, further enriching the narrative of the Games.