Taranto 2026 is increasingly becoming a reality. The 20th edition of the Mediterranean Games, which will return to Italy in four years' time, was presented at Casa Italia in Oran, receiving the baton from the Algerian city currently hosting the 3-ring multidisciplinary event.
“It is an honour to host you here at Casa Italia, our hospitality house that accompanies us at our events around the world,” said CONI Secretary General Carlo Mornati. It is a great pleasure and honour to host the 2026 Games in Taranto. I also think it is a great opportunity for the Mediterranean countries to grow this event. It will not only be a sporting event but an opportunity to visit Italy and Apulia”.

The President of the International Committee of the Mediterranean Games, Davide Tizzano, emphasised the importance of the event. 'We have a great challenge ahead of us,' he said, 'and as soon as these Games in Oran are over, we will start working on the new ones. We are optimistic for Taranto and the population and the city are enthusiastic about hosting them. It is a challenge to fix the facilities in this region, but everything will be ready. We want it to be one of the best editions of the Mediterranean Games. I would like to thank Mattia Giorno, who is here representing the Municipality of Taranto, and Carlo Mornati, because we are working closely with CONI. In the same year, Italy will host the Olympic Games in Milan Cortina and the Mediterranean Games, and the country demonstrated its ability to stage such events. In three weeks' time we will start working actively on Taranto 2026'.
For the fourth time in history, Italy returns to organise the event, which will again be hosted in Apulia after 29 years (Bari 1997).

'I am grateful for CONI's hospitality and the help they have given us for the organisation,' said Elio Sannicandro, General Manager of the Taranto 2026 Organising Committee. I thank the International Committee and its President, Davide Tizzano. We are proud to show what we are preparing for this edition of the Games. We want to help rebuild the future of Taranto and the most important thing is that we are working together: the city of Taranto, the Region of Apulia, CONI and the government, and I hope that this organisation will be very important for the whole country and restore peace between the Mediterranean countries. The new swimming pool will be very important, and will be a legacy for the city, as will the redevelopment of the nautical area. The candidacy is also part of the strategic plan for the transformation of the entire area, with the Italian government committed to the de-carbonisation of the steel mill. A steel mill that will undergo a major transformation towards hydrogen in the coming years. But the socio-economic transition process is broader: Taranto has enormous potential, it is a very ancient city with an important culture. The Mediterranean Games will help us narrate this transformation. I am sure that it will be an example not just for Italy and we want it to be a link with all the Mediterranean countries”.

Representing the Municipality of Taranto was the Councillor for Public Works, Mattia Giorno. “I am very happy to be here talking to you all and I am thrilled to pass on the greetings of the Mayor of Taranto,” he remarked. We have a big responsibility but the city will be ready to host the event. We have been working for two years, it will not only be a sports competition, we also want to use it to promote an idea of a sustainable future in peace. We are working hard, I thank the government, CONI and the Puglia Region. We look forward to seeing you in Taranto, even before 2026. Our city has a special bond with the Olympic Games and the Mediterranean Games, it is part of Taranto's history. Our mayor will meet the mayor of Milan because we want a strong collaboration between the Winter Games in Milan Cortina and the Mediterranean Games”. (photo Pagliaricci CONI)