The Malta Olympic Committee (MOC) recently unveiled the uniforms to be worn by officials, athletes and volunteers during the forthcoming Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE) in Malta - June 2-7.
The launch coincided with the visit of the chefs-de-mission of the eight countries that will be participating in the Malta GSSE.
The foreign delegations discussed various technical aspects relating to the ten disciplines included in the Games sports programme and were taken around the venues.
Raymond Hastert, the secretary general of the International GSSE Executive, congratulated the MOC for its hard work and excellent organisation.
The two-day meeting came to a close with a variety show during which the official uniforms that will be used throughout the Games were launched. The fashion show featured a number of athletes and models.
Some 700 volunteers involved in the organisation of the Games will be easily identified through colourful tops which have been designed after several discussions in various working groups.
Volunteers donning a royal blue top will form part of a network of helpers in the administration, marketing as well as assisting desks departments.
White shirts will be worn by volunteers working in the medical and merchandising groups while those helping out in the transport and IT divisions will be donning a yellow shirt. Event volunteers nominated by the bodies governing the ten disciplines chosen for the Malta GSSE will be wearing a navy blue shirt.
All chefs-de-mission and other foreign dignitaries will be accompanied by a number of hosts and hostesses during their stay in Malta. Fashion design expert Maria Fleri Soler was commissioned to design specific uniforms for these volunteers.
While hosts will be wearing black trousers and a blue polo shirt, hostesses will wear a blue skirt and a blouse which may be either red, yellow or green. These colours represent the logo of the Games. The uniforms come complete with a neck scarf and a handbag.
The last group of models to take to the stage during the launching at the New Dolmen Hotel showed off the attire to be used during the victory ceremonies.
The design of these costumes show that Fleri Soler has managed to strike the right balance between the traditional robes of Ancient Greece and the characteristic features of the Maltese traditional costume.
Popular Maltese singer Ira Losco brought the uniforms launching ceremony to a fitting end with a rendition of 'Reaching Higher', the official song of the tenth edition of the GSSE.