The final meeting of the Executive Committee of the International Committee of the Mediterranean Games (ICMG) for the 2021–2026 term was held in Taranto, just 52 days before the opening of the 20th edition of the Mediterranean Games.

The main focus of the meeting was the major challenge of delivering the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games successfully.

The Mayor of Taranto, Piero Bitetti, attended the meeting and presented the Municipality’s action plan covering security, cleanliness, traffic management, and cooperation with the Taranto 2026 Organising Committee to ensure the best possible welcome and hospitality for the delegations and athletes participating in the Games.

Representatives of the Taranto 2026 Organising Committee also presented the latest progress on preparations for the 20th Mediterranean Games and outlined the work that will be completed before the Opening Ceremony.

The ICMG Executive Committee approved the Games medals, the Opening and Closing Ceremony scripts, the operational plan for the ceremonies, and the ticketing programme. It also approved significant adjustments concerning the competition schedule, transportation, delegation accommodation, accreditation, and other key operational areas of the Games.

The Executive Committee expressed reservations regarding the completion schedule of certain competition venues, including the tennis centre and the aquatic centre. It was also announced that the next visit of the Coordination Commission will take place from 9 to 12 July.

ICMG Secretary General Iakovos Filippousis informed the Executive Committee that, by decision of IOC President Kirsty Coventry, the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games will be held under the High Patronage of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC President will be represented at the Opening Ceremony by IOC Executive Board Member and President of the European Olympic Committees, Spyros Capralos.

The Secretary General also presented the final list of candidates for the new ICMG Athletes’ Commission, whose members will be elected during the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games.

Members of the Executive Committee were introduced to the newly arranged version of the Mediterranean Anthem, composed by internationally acclaimed Greek composer Andreas Katsigiannis. The new anthem will receive its world premiere during the Opening Ceremony of the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games.

For the first time in its history, the Executive Committee approved a financial support programme for the National Olympic Committees that are members of the ICMG, allocating a total of €500,000. The funding will be distributed according to the number of athletes each National Olympic Committee enters in the 20th Mediterranean Games.

The Executive Committee also accepted the official expressions of interest submitted by the municipalities of Djerba (Tunisia) and the Slovenian municipalities of Koper, Piran, Izola and Ankaran to host the 2029 and 2031 Mediterranean Beach Games. It was decided to begin exclusive negotiations in order to conclude the host city selection process as soon as possible.

With the aim of providing the best possible experience for the Mediterranean family, the Executive Committee approved the request of the Portimão–Lagoa 2027 Mediterranean Beach Games Organising Committee to reschedule the Games to 18–25 September 2027. It was also decided to include 3×3 Basketball and Finswimming in the sports programme.

Finally, the Executive Committee unanimously approved the venue plan for five urban sports at the Prishtina 2030 Mediterranean Games, which will be staged in prominent locations throughout the capital of Kosovo. It also announced the establishment of the new Organising Committee following the completion of the legislative process approving the new law and the legal framework governing its operation.