On 20 August 2026, in Taranto, Italy, one day before the opening of the 20th edition of the Mediterranean Games, and in the framework of the Ordinary General Assembly of the International Committee of the Mediterranean Games (ICMG), elections will be held for the President and the Executive Committee for the 2026–2030 term.

The decision was taken during the meeting of the Executive Committee in Athens, which thoroughly reviewed the progress of preparations for the Mediterranean Games in Taranto.

Secretary General Iakovos Filippousis presented the Executive Committee’s activity report, with particular emphasis on the completion of the first implementation cycle of the ICMG’s new institutional framework. This follows the recent amendments to the ICMG Statutes—unanimously approved by the 2025 General Assembly—and aligns with international best practices and the procedures set out in the Olympic Charter.

Special reference was also made to the Safeguarding programme for all participants in the Mediterranean Games and the Mediterranean Beach Games, gender equality in participation at the Taranto Mediterranean Games, the introduction of mixed-gender events, and the environmental and marine protection campaign “SPORT 4 BLUE MED SEA,” implemented in cooperation with five Mediterranean National Olympic Committees and funded under the Erasmus+ programme.

The ICMG is also participating in the Erasmus+ project “Practices Against Doping in High Performance, Recreational and University Sport,” collaborates with the Integrity Unit of the International Olympic Committee for the implementation of the programme “Prevention of Competition Manipulation in Multi-Sport Events,” and is developing the Young Mediterranean Ambassadors programme.

The Executive Committee also ratified cooperation with an international group of technical experts with extensive experience in major multi-sport events and the Olympic Games. This group will prepare a new detailed organizational plan for the Mediterranean Games, which will include all technical specifications, operational procedures by functional area, and will serve as the central reference manual for future bidding and organization.

The President of the Taranto 2026 Coordination Committee, Stavri Bello, referred to the progress of the works as well as existing delays, four months before the staging of the major sporting event. It was stressed that inspection visits to monitor the progress of works in Taranto must be intensified.

This was followed by a presentation from representatives of the Taranto 2026 Organizing Committee, led by General Director Carlo Molfetta, covering developments in sports venues, staffing with specialised personnel, solutions to accommodation and transport issues, and cooperation with Italian and International Sports Federations. The medals for the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games were also unveiled.

The Executive Committee approved the proposal for the Games’ medals and the scenarios for the opening and closing ceremonies, while requesting a detailed timeline for the completion of infrastructure projects, equipment delivery, the organization of the sports programme, and the accommodation of delegations.

The next meeting of the ICMG Executive Committee will take place in Taranto on 26–27 June 2026.