Newsletter

meeting with three Monegasque athletes competing for the Games of the Small States of Europe

The 19th edition of this competition which brings together athletes from countries with less than one million inhabitants takes place from May 29 to June 3 in Malta.

Small states as well as large ones. After a first edition canceled in 2021 because of the Covid and a second which was to take place in Andorra, the Games of the Small States of Europe, under the aegis of the International Olympic Committee, finally return to the front of the stage. These multi-sport games will bring together in Malta, from May 29 to June 3, athletes from 9 European countries, including 98 athletes from Monaco. France 3 Côte d’Azur was able to meet three of them.

Anne Baldoni has been playing squash since the age of 17. While its discipline had been left aside during the last Games of the Small States of Europe, for this 2023 edition, it will once again be in the spotlight. The Monaco squash team was able to benefit from a coaching week-long intensive with Mathieu Castagnier, a former French number 1.

This year, Anne will travel to Malta with her daughters. An outstanding team with the ambition to win a gold medal.

“I’m 59, but as I practice this sport every day, I’m much fitter than my friends because it burns calories! I’m going to give my best and why not try to win a medal.”

Anne Baldoni, squash player

at France 3 Côte d’Azur

Téo Andant is not Monegasque but chose to be part of this delegation to benefit from better treatment. This runner 23 years old has a very clear objective: less than 46 seconds for a 400 meters.

Téo Andant was already present during the European Indoor Championships which take place in Turkey in March 2021.

Victorious in 2017 and 2019, he wants to achieve further success. It is for this reason that he trains every day.

“The atmosphere is always great. In addition, I will discover the island of Malta where we will stay for a week. I am always happy to participate in these games.”

Teo Andant Runner

at France 3 Côte d’Azur

For this edition, Téo Andant is more ready than ever.

They may already be medalists, they do not know the games of small states. It’s the case Cédric Bessi, this 33-year-old judoka, who notably distinguished himself in Tokyo in 2020, then again in Tokyo during the Olympic Games of 2021 during which he finished in 8th place for the lightweights. Son of a judoka, he has been practicing this sport since he was very young.

“When I left school, I absolutely had to go to judo. It was my world of escape. When I was offered, the question did not arise.”

Cédric Bessi Judoka

at France 3 Côte d’Azur

He is obviously aiming for the gold medal.

This 19th edition promises to be captivating. A thousand athletes from 9 European countries with less than one million inhabitants such as Iceland or Cyprus will invest the island of Malta during 6 days. They will compete in 10 very varied disciplines such as basketball, rugby, judo or athletics.

A total of 98 “red and white” athletes have been selected for this major competition. In all, in this delegation, there are 60 men and 38 women. With members of the medical staff, managers and coaches, they will number 135.

Athletes will compete in 10 sports such as basketball, table tennis or squash, which is making a comeback on this sports scene after a twelve-year absence. After 1987 and 2007, Monaco will once again host the Games of the Small States in 2027.

2023-05-28 06:17:31
#meeting #Monegasque #athletes #competing #Games #Small #States #Europe

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Trending