As preparations for the 10th Games of the Small States of Europe enter the final stages, the organising committee of the Games yesterday launched the official designs and models of the Olympic Urn and Torch.
The launching was made by Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco, president of the Malta Olympic Committee (MOC) at a news conference at the committee's premises within the National Pool Complex, Tal-Qroqq.
The Olympic Urn and Torch are two intrinsic icons of any Games and the forthcoming GSSE, to be held in Malta between June 2 and 7, will be no exception.
The urn and torch have distinct features that almost belie the fact that both were conceived by the same artist who managed to blend art and sporting philosophy in his designs.
The urn is a gigantic structure, standing at seven metres, with a diameter of two-and-a-half metres at the top and four-and-a-half metres at the base. The octagon-shaped urn adjoins an eight-sided nut that branches out into eight legs which in turn lead to a sturdy base in the shape of an eight-pointed cross in honour of the host nation.
The MOC plans to display the urn in a prominent place after the end of the Games.
"This sporting monument should further help to encourage a sporting culture among our youngsters and will constitute an integral part of the islands' sporting heritage," Farrugia Sacco said.
Farrugia Sacco also highlighted the various stages reached in the run-up to the Games before declaring that Malta is ready for the challenge ahead. Farrugia Sacco also announced that the International Executive of the GSSE will visit Malta in the first week of April to monitor the final preparations.
The various eight-facet components in the design of the urn represent the eight countries taking part in the Games... Andorra, Cyprus, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, San Marino and Malta.
These eight nations have joined the spirit of brotherhood since the inception of the Games in 1985 in San Marino.
The Olympic Urn will be lit for the first time during the Opening Ceremony of the Games to be staged at the Ta' Qali national football stadium on June 2.
The ceremony will also offer a surprise relating to the way the flame is lit but the MOC is unwilling to let the cat out of the bag at this stage.
Following the Opening Ceremony, the urn will be dismantled and transported to Marsa where it will be assembled again. The urn will stay alight throughout the Games.
The designer of the GSSE Olympic Urn wishes to remain anonymous. The logistic aspects of the project have been entrusted to architect Dion Buhagiar, who is also the secretary general of the Archery Association of Malta, while engineer Kenneth Abela is responsible for the rather complex lighting system.
Robert Bartolo is the person who will ultimately translate all the designs and concepts into a massive steel structure.
A multi-disciplinary team was behind this project and the MOC president yesterday expressed his thanks to all those who, in some way or another, contributed.
Experienced personnel from the Gas Division at Enemalta will also be highly involved in the operating system of the Games. Around 60 litres of gas are needed every hour to ensure that the flame stays alight.
Olympic Torch
The Olympic Torch is similar in design to the Urn with some notable differences. The eight-pointed cross is on top, circling round the flame and the spaces between the four sides of the cross have been purposely left rugged in marked contrast to the smooth surface of the cross.
The outer edges of the eight-pointed cross curve inwards to join at the octagonal joint of the torch like the eight legs of the urn. Here, the octagonal structure moves along to a common point which again is really the pattern of the urn in reverse. Only a limited number of torches will be produced.
Manufactured by Joe Galea, the torch constitutes another symbolic part of the Games ceremonials as it will be lit during an artistic ceremony reminiscent of the ancient Olympic Games.
Dignitaries and other guests from the eight participating countries will witness the lighting of the torch on the evening of Sunday June 1. The torch will then embark on a lengthy journey covering most of the island on its way to the Ta' Qali Stadium for the Opening Ceremony.
Apart from the Olympic Torch, Mr Galea has also been commissioned to design and produce commemorative gifts that will be awarded to the winning athletes during the presentation ceremonies.
During yesterday's news conference, MOC Director of Sports Pippo Psaila also unveiled the official GSSE poster (see bottom picture) which will serve as the backdrop for the various billboards to be set up around the islands.
Psaila reiterated his belief that Maltese athletes will live up to expectations in front of a passionate home crowd.
Also addressing the news conference yesterday was Parliamentary Secretary for Sport Jesmond Mugliett who emphasised the importance of the Malta GSSE and the support being provided by the government. Mr Mugliett also drew pride from stating that all preparatory work for the Games is being done by Maltese citizens.