IOC president Dr Jacques Rogge and his predecessor Dr Antonio Samaranch paid a surprise visit to the Games headquarters which also includes the Press Centre yesterday morning.
Rogge met several distinguished personalities from the Organising Committee of these Games, but even had time to speak to some Maltese journalists.
I asked the IOC President to give a general comment on the Games for European Small States and was prompt to say: "They have become a very important event not only for the athletes themselves, but also for the organising country and the others participating in them.
"They have grown in stature and have been given a more important dimension. The number of athletes is on the increase and so is the level of the Games standards. I think these Games give these athletes from the small countries a chance to compete more or less on the same level.
"The improvement from all aspects can only be attributed to these Games. The organisers have managed to convince the governments of each country to invest in the sports infrastructure and the better the sports facilities, the better will be the performances of the athletes in future. Just take a look at the facilities here and in Malta two years ago and you will understand what I mean.
"This is why I pledge to continue giving my full support to the Games. They will always remain very important as they continue to grow from one edition to another," he said.
Asked to comment on the doping plague which is hitting some sport disciplines, Dr Rogge said the IOC will never tolerate any cheating from any athlete in any kind of sport. "The IOC will remain very tough in its stance on doping," he maintained.
Former IOC president Dr Antonio Samaranch who saw the Games getting started way back in San Marino in 1985, said he was impressed with the general improvement.
He added: "I am convinced that these Games have a very bright future. They are growing big and it is healthy to see so many athletes taking part and showing improvement from one edition to another.
"Although perhaps these athletes are still far from reaching top Olympic levels, however, there are some who manage to make the grade and that shows the importance of these Games as they serve like a stepping stone to an upper grade," he said.
Samaranch said he had always supported the Games and hoped the IOC will continue to do so in future. "Such small nations need a lot of help from all quarters to be able to sustain and improve their levels to compete in bigger events, possibly also registering some surprises in future," he added.