The second most important multi-sport event after the Olympics will run until July 6th in Oran, Algeria.
The XIX Mediterranean Games kicked off in Oran, in which more than three thousand athletes from twenty-six countries will participate.
Forty thousand people watched the opening ceremony live at the Olympic Stadium in Algeria’s second largest city. Tens of thousands greet visitors on the street because only Algerians know how.
One man said, “I’m from Oran and I come from Warsaw, Poland. I participate in the games.” According to a local girl, as a result of the competition, their country is developing more and more, as she wishes. to make it better.
Forty-seven years later, the Mediterranean Games were held in Algeria again. The country was equipped with a grandiose opening ceremony with the participation of hundreds of performers. The country’s landscape, history and influence on the Mediterranean region are presented.
Competitors from the twenty-six participating nations marched hilariously, and the atmosphere was hectic.
The Algerian flag bearer is Imaine Kehlif, world boxing champion in the ultra-lightweight category. The athlete is very happy. He said he was proud of his country hosting the Mediterranean Games. They have the entire Mediterranean basin. He feels that, like the athletes of the Mediterranean basin, they form one country with those who came from Italy, Spain, Egypt and Tunisia.”
The motto of the games is unity. After the Olympic Games, it is the second most important multi-sport competition.
The people of the Mediterranean are different, but there is great unity among them, and sport really unites young people, said Davide Tizzano, President of the International Committee for the Mediterranean Games. They get acquainted with new cultures, so they understand that not only their own world exists, not everything revolves around them, the world is diverse. It must be integrated.
The athletes live in one village for twelve days. Each nation has its own building, but it is on the street that young people can get to know each other despite their different cultures and customs.
They all want to win, said Luigi Bossa, the Italian flag bearer and Olympic champion, but in the end they embraced each other and that is the real victory. Because once they stop playing sports, human relationships remain. They must pass this on to future generations.
The sporting event takes place in thirty-seven venues. Some of the buildings are new and some have been renovated to compete.
Everyone is satisfied with the result, at least the champions, for example the French volleyball player and flag bearer, Luca Pesc.
He said they are used to something different in terms of organisation, but are very satisfied for the time being. They can’t wait to discover it all and compete.
The contest runs until July 6.
