CHEF DE MISSION AND TECHNICAL COMMISION MEETING OF THE GSSE CYPRUS 2009

The final countdown to the XIII Games of the Small States of Europe CYPRUS 2009 begins this weekend, as the Heads of Delegations of participating countries and the Technical Commission of the Games convene at Olympic House, here. The participating delegates, who are expected in Cyprus Thursday afternoon, will deal with remaining organisational details, allowing the organisers to begin the final preparations for the 1-6 June event.

The schedule of the two-day meetings begins Friday morning with a session of the Technical Commission, in which one delegate from each participating country will take part. Cyprus will be represented by Olga Piperidou, Director of the Cyprus Olympic Committee and vice-president of the Technical Commission itself.

A common meeting of the Technical Commission and the Heads of Delegations will follow on Friday afternoon. COC officials, headed by President Ouranios Ioannides, will brief all participants on all matters concerning the Games.

The results and decisions of the meetings will be announced during a Press Conference, on Monday 6 April 2009 at 11:00 local time (08:00 GMT) in Nicosia.

During the two days of meetings, visits to all official hotels and all venues of the XIII GSSE. Saturday morning is dedicated to visits to the Makarion Complex (Basketball, Tennis, Table Tennis and Judo), to the University of Cyprus (Volleyball) and the GSP Complex (ceremonies and Athletics). On Saturday afternoon the delegates will visit the city of Limassol and the "Spyros Kyprianou" Sports Centre (Gymnastics), the Limassol Swimming Pool (Swimming) and the Limassol Sailing Centre (Sailing and Beach Volleyball).

The Cyprus Olympic Committee will host all delegates at a reception in the Limassol Sailing Centre on Saturday evening.

In conjunction with the XIII GSSE Meetings, a Seminar organised by the Cyprus Association of Sports Medicine will be held at Olympic House in Nicosia, with a total of 17 delegates expected.