The 19th edition of the Mediterranean Games, initially scheduled for June 25 to July 5, 2021 in Oran, has been postponed to 2022, following a request of the International Committee of the Mediterranean Games.

For the Algerian Minister of Youth and Sports and President of the Organizing Committee of the Mediterranean Games “Oran 2021” Sid Ali Khaldi, the decision was taken by the two parties. “The postponement of the Mediterranean Games in Oran is mainly motivated by the common concern of rearranging their periodicity compared to the Olympic calendar, improving the quality of the Games and their influence as well as preserving the health of the athletes and ensure their preparation for this important sporting event” he said.

From his side, the Algerian President of the International Committee of the Mediterranean Games Amar Addadi welcomed the decision taken by the Algerian government, stressing that the Mediterranean body has requested the postponement of the 19th edition of the Games Oran in relation to the rescheduling of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

“The International Committee of the Mediterranean Games has requested the postponement of the 19th edition of the Mediterranean Games to 2022 for reasons which are mainly linked to the Olympic calendar. The Organizing Committee will have more time to meet all the conditions and offer to all the Mediterranean athletes a brilliant edition which raises higher the image of Algeria”.

The President of the International Committee of the Mediterranean Games reiterated the commitment of his Committee to continue and consolidate cooperation in order to ensure the best conditions for a huge success of the Mediterranean Games in Oran.

“Athletes are continuously punished by the suspension of the preparation process following the closure of sports structures. I think that this postponement will allow the entire Mediterranean sport movement to prepare for Oran Games in the best conditions “, said Addadi.