RTL Today - Ones to watch: A look at some of Luxembourg's top athletes at the Games of the Smaller States

Luxembourg has 166 athletes who will be present at the Games in Andorra from the 26–31 May, and here are some of the medal hopefuls highlighted.

Vera Hoffmann – Athletics – 1500m

Fresh from last summer's Olympic games, Hoffmann is the national record holder for the 1500m, mile (indoor and road), 3000m (joint with Danièle Kaber), and 10km (road). She has high hopes for landing a medal in Andorra. She will be hoping to reduce her record time of 4:05:92 at the Joan Samarra Stadium on 29 May.

Vera Hoffmann leading the pack. / © AFP

Victoria Rausch – Athletics – 100m / 100m hurdles / 4x100m relay

Slightly in the shadow of the stupendous form of Patrizia van der Weken, Rausch is more specialised in the hurdles events and boasts three national and six indoor championships. She set a national record in the 100m hurdles in 2022 with a time of 13.24s.

Alex Kirsch – Cycling – Road race / Time trial

Another one of Luxembourg's five Olympians who will be present in Andorra. Kirsch is a specialist in one day races and time trial events and was crowned national champion in 2023. He has completed the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, and the Vuelta a España. He is a pro cyclist for Lidl–Trek.

Marie Schreiber – Road race / Time trial

After recently finishing sixth in the final standings of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup earlier this year, becoming the first Luxembourger to win a stage in the process, Schreiber is in fine form going to Andorra with high hopes of gold. At only 22-years old she has a bright future ahead of her, having already won the Cyclo-Cross national championships three years in a row.

Jenny Warling – Karate / -55kg

A four-time European medalist, including gold, at the European Karate Championships, Warling goes into the Games of the Small States as the outright favourite and gold will definitely be in the cards. She also has two bronze medals at the European Games.

Bilgee Bayanaa – Judo / +84kg

An absolute machine of a man, Bayanaa finished second in the last Games of the Small States and third in the 2017 edition, he will be looking to get that elusive gold in Andorra. He used to compete in the lower weight category (-81kg) but has now gone into the heavyweight division.

Bilgee Bayanaa (blue) at the Games of the Small States in San Marino.

Ralph Daleiden Ciuferri – Swimming – 50m, 100m, and 200m freestyle / 50m and 100m backstroke

The third Olympian on the list, having partaken in the Paris Olympics last year, hopes are high for Ciuferri in Andorra. He is the national record holder in the 100m and 200m freestyle at just 22-years-old. Competing in five separate events, he will be looking for multiple medals.

Liam Carroll – Rugby sevens

Already a gold medallist at the last edition of the Games in Malta, Carroll is known for his tough tackling and strong ball carrying ability. He was part of the Stade Français youth setup and now plies his trade in Scotland for Stirling County RFC. The Luxembourg rugby team will be looking for successive medals but face some tough opposition in Cyprus, Malta, and Monaco.

Alex Knaff – Tennis

Playing a key role in Luxembourg's Davis Cup victory over Lithuania, Knaff comes into the Games with a certain level of expectation on his shoulders. Currently ranked 600th in the world with a high of 486th, he has defeated players much higher up in the rankings. Behind him he has Luxembourg's most successful player ever: Gilles Muller, who is his coach.

Sarah de Nutte – Table tennis

A professional table tennis player, she has represented Luxembourg at two Olympic games and is currently ranked 122 in the world. She has won over 20 national championships in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Undoubtedly, looking for gold to add to her trophy cabinet.

Luka Mladenovic – Table tennis

The final Olympian on the list, Mladenovic plays professionally in Germany and is going into the Games in good form. He is a four-time national champion and won gold at the Games of the Small States in 2023. At 190cm he is a giant for the table tennis realm.