2009 GSSE logo and mascot unveiled

The mascot and the logo of the XIII Games of Small States of Europe (GSSE), which Cyprus will host next year, have been unveiled.
The logo is a depiction of an ancient ship, found off Cyprus' northern coast in the mid 1960s, and the mascot is a white pigeon.
Cyprus Olympic Committee (COC) President and International Olympic Committee Member Kikis Lazarides presented them on Wednesday, nearly a year ahead of the games, to be hosted between June 1-6, 2009.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Lazarides said preparations are on track and expressed the belief that the 2009 Games will be even better that the 1989 GSSE, which Cyprus also organised.
“I hope these games will serve as a point of reference for the Olympic movement,'' he added.
''Our first and primary concern is to organize the games as best as we can and mobilise Cypriots and especially young people,'' he said, adding that the COC will soon launch a campaign to attract volunteers to help with organising the 2009 GSSE.
Lazarides presented the GSSE's logo, a modern-day depiction of an ancient ship found in Kyrenia, on the northern coast, and the Games' mascot is a white pigeon named Tefkros, after King Tefkros a Greek king who founded the ancient city of Salamis just north of Famagusta, wearing sports clothes and carrying a torch.
Both the logo and the mascot were designed by a Cypriot, Periclis Christofides. Lazarides also presented the Games' website available on www.cyprus2009.org.cy and www.gsse2009.org.cy.
According to the COC President, the 2009 GSSE will feature a novelty, a Youth Camp which will welcome athletes from 16 to 18 years from every participating country. During the Games, Olympic Education programmers will help promote the Olympic ideals and values.
Lazarides was reluctant to disclose anything about the opening and the closing ceremonies, saying this will a ''surprise.''
Regarding the sports venues, Lazarides said that most sport will be hosted in existing installations in Cyprus' capital, Nicosia, while three disciplines, namely Sailing, Beach Volley and Gymnastics, will be hosted in Cyprus’ southern coastal town of Limassol, and Cycling will take place in ''Mantra tou Kampiou'' mountain bike track in Machairas Mountain.
As regards the Cypriot athletes’ preparation, Lazarides said that Cyprus wants to repeat at home its victory in medals, as it did in the past three editions of the GSSE.
''Our basic target is to win as many medals as possible and be victorious and we shall do our best to achieve this goal,'' he concluded.
The countries participating in the GSSE are Andorra, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Iceland, Malta, Monaco, San Marino, Cyprus.