The opening ceremony of the 19th edition of the Mediterranean Games Oran 2022 held at the Miloud-Hadefi Olympic Complex stadium, in the presence of the President of the Algerian Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune and guests from several countries and organizations.

The Emir of the State of Qatar, his Highness Sheikh Tamim Ben Hamad Al-Thani, also attends the ceremony, as guest of honor, following the invitation of President Tebboune.

Other distinguished guests, like the Captains Regent of San Marino, Oscar Mina and Paolo Rondelli, the Turkish Vice-President, Mr. Fuat Oktay, the Italian Minister of the Interior, Luciana Lamorgese, and the Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), Nasser Kamel, also attended the opening ceremony.

The ceremony took place in the presence of three IOC members, Spyros Capralos, Mustapha Berraf and Morinari Watanabe, as well as Presidents and Secretaries General of the National Olympic Committees. The official kick-off of this 19th edition of the Mediterrsanean Games which will continue until July 6 and in which 3,390 athletes representing 26 countries was given by the President of the Republic after the traditional parade of delegations participating in these Mediterranean games.

During the 12 days of competition, the athletes will compete for the podiums in the 26 disciplines included in the general program, which also includes three exhibition disciplines.

The statement of the President of the International Committee of Mediterranean Games  (ICMG), Davide Tizzano, during the opening ceremony: “The International Committee of Mediterranean Games has the great pleasure of being present in Oran for the 19th edition of the Mediterranean Games and come back a second time to Algeria after the Algiers edition in 1975. We are grateful for the welcome given by the Algerian people and their attachment to the Mediterranean Games.

The Mediterranean people are happy to relive the joy of the games after the pandemic period , in a festive atmosphere of peace and brotherhood. I personally thank the President of the Algerian Republic for the efforts made to ensure the success of this event in the presence of 26 countries. I would also like to thank the Algerian government, the wali of Oran, the Organizing Commmittee  and the International Olympic Committee for having contributed to the success of this edition of the JMediterranean Games. A big thank you also to all the volunteers. I wish all the athletes participating in the Games great success and sporting performance”.