Sometimes you can’t see the forest for the trees. And that’s a shame, because sometimes the small bushes are beautiful. Januz Kocijancic, chairman of the European Olympic Comittee, adresses the big countries in Europe. “If they join an event, with al their power, you can’t see the small ones anymore, that’s why we cluster together.”
It is recommended to look behind the big trees, so you can see the beautiful and wildly growing other flora. You’ll get a closer look at the results and the sporty goals of Liechtenstein or Andorra (and seven other countries). The European Games, held at the end of June in Minsk, Belarus, is not the only big multisportsevent this summer. The Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE), held in five different cities in Montenegro, is a close second.
“We can compete with eachother on an equal basis, with the same means”, says Kocijancic. “These smalle countries are being ingnored in the big leagues, they can’t keep up with that level. The power of us small states lies within cooperation.”
“Our advantage is our lack of becoming bigger. We don’t have any ambition to dominate. Not in sports, not on any other level. There ar no hidden agendas, we don’t play political power games. Let that be an example fort he big countries, maybe they can be a little bit more humble.”
Kocijancic emphasizes he doesn’t oppose tot he big countries. They are important for a powerful Europe. The Slovenian is becoming a true European. “This a beautiful continent, with big and influencial countries as Russia, Germany and the Netherlands. If we cooperate, there will be more democracy and maybe a greater European idea. Who says only rich and powerful states make the rules?”