The curtain rises on the twentieth edition of the Mediterranean Games in Taranto. The numbers are significant: 3,800 athletes, 26 participating countries from 3 continents, 33 sports disciplines, including 2 making their debut, and 1,853 medals to be awarded. These are highlighted by Merez Boussayene, first vice president of the international Games committee, and Massimo Ferrarese, president of the local organizing committee, at the press conference preceding the start.
Read more Six EU countries call for a windfall tax on oil companies: Italy too
Ask the Sun
The questions are automatically suggested by 24Ore AI
based on the displayed content.
President Sergio Mattarella has the task of pronouncing the opening formula of the Games at the Iacovone stadium in Taranto. With him are the presidents of the Senate and Chamber, Ignazio La Russa and Lorenzo Fontana, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the executive vice president of the European Commission, Raffaele Fitto, along with four other heads of state (Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, and Lebanon) and two heads of government (Algeria and Serbia), as well as several ministers and ambassadors. The stadium – radically renovated, 20,000 seats – has been sold out for several days for the opening event.
“Taranto has changed its face. And these Mediterranean Games have marked an important result, an extraordinary record with 3,800 athletes,” says Boussayene. “These Games,” he adds, “will leave an important legacy as a sports heritage that will serve future generations. Taranto is the fourth Italian city to host the Games, and returning to Italy has great significance. It highlights the deep bond between Italy and the Mediterranean. Even the ships for athlete hospitality represented an original idea as it aligns with Taranto’s maritime identity and the Mediterranean world.”
Read more Salvini opens up to northerners: willing to strengthen the team with governors, ministers, mayors
For President Ferrarese, “the Games belong to everyone, they have no political color. For the Games,” he recalls, “275 million were invested in works, 75 million in organization, and 6 million given by the commissioner to redo the roads in Taranto. I thank the Government for what it has done, but also the other institutions that have stood by us: the Apulia Region, the Municipality of Taranto, CONI, which are part of the Games’ board. We did not exceed the budget by a euro,” Ferrarese emphasizes, “there were no extra costs as usually happens. Within the 275 million, we saved about 23 million with which we were able to offset the 18 million increase in costs and with the rest, we carried out variant appraisals, thus additional works that we have given to the territory. An important legacy of the facilities that I hope will be valued, preserved, and maintained over time.”
At the start of their speeches, both Boussayene and Ferrarese remembered the figure of Davide Tizzano, rower, president of the international Games committee who passed away last December, who was involved in the “machine” of the Games for many months.
Read more Italy-Spain challenge on olive oil: Coricelli offers 500 million for Deoleo
