There are nine members of the European Olympic Committees with fewer than one million inhabitants. While each has unique sporting cultures and traditions, all nine share a special bond: sport makes a vital contribution to their national identity.
Upon initiative by the NOC of Malta, in 1985 the Association launched the first edition of the Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE), which was organised in San Marino. Since then, this multi sports event reserved for the athletes from the 8 countries of our continent with less than one million inhabitants, has taken place regularly every two years, with growing success.