Watch: Colourful ceremony heralds start of 2019 Small Nations' Games

The Games of Small States of Europe Montenegro 2019 got under way on Monday with a colourful (and wet ceremony) at the Old Town of Budva.
Over 846 athletes from the nine participating countries took part in the ceremony, which was marred by continuous rain, that was saw the participation of International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach alongside Montenegrin Olympic Committee president Dusan Simovic who could not hide his pride at the country’s first-ever organisation of the Games.
“We have teamed up here, on a harmonious and exciting touch of the sea and mountains, to celebrate the Games of Small States of Europe,” he told the crowd present.
“Sport is, above all, a game. And the game is joy, emotion, space of freedom. The game enhances and connects us.

“Uniting in diversity and colorfulness. By sacrificing the original and fundamental Olympic values, we will compete today, and, above all, be friends, be the world in the small.”
All participating athletes than took part in the traditional march past, with the Malta contingent being led by double trap shooter Gianluca Chetcuti who carried the Maltese flag.
The biggest roar during the athletes’ parade, as expected to the...