Apart from a few jeers which greeted the arrival of Erdoğan (pictured) and a peaceful protest earlier in the afternoon in the centre of Mersin, the event passed off without incident as more than 4,000 athletes from 24 countries from Africa, Asia and Europe who will take part in the 27 sports participated in the Ceremony.

Istanbul 2020 officials are hoping that the event will demonstrate Turkey's capabilities to host major events, especially as they have completed all the preparations in just two years after the original host, Volos, dropped out due to the Greek economic crisis.

"By hosting the Mediterranean Games we are in fact rehearsing," Erdoğan told the 25,000 crowd in the newly-built Mersin Stadium.

"We are preparing for the 2020 Istanbul Olympic Games. 

"I hope and I wish that we will have the opportunity to host the athletes who came here from 24 countries in Istanbul in 2020.

"I sincerely believe that all the brothers who are here will support us."


The main Stadium was one of 38 newly built or renovated venues delivered by TOKI, the delivery agency that would be responsible for the construction of all the venues in 2020 if Istanbul are awarded the Games. 

"Watching the Opening Ceremony today demonstrated how much this country can achieve when we are united behind a common goal," said Uğur Erdener, President of the National Olympic Committee of Turkey (NOCT).

"In just 18 months, TOKI has delivered what would normally take six years to deliver.

"TOKI has a proven track record, building 60,000 houses a year - the equivalent of an Olympic Village every quarter.

"With TOKI's proven expertise and the finance and governance guarantees provided by our Olympic Law, the Olympic family can be assured that if Istanbul is awarded the honour of hosting the 2020 Games, we will deliver technically excellent venues on schedule in an environmentally responsible way."

Istanbul's campaign is facing a crucial period in its bid, which has undoubtedly been badly damaged by the anti-Government nationwide riots sparked by protests against the planned redevelopment of Gezi Park in Turkey's financial capital and left them trailing rivals Madrid and Tokyo. 

Tomorrow the FIFA Under-20 World Cup is due to kick-off, when France take on Ghana at the Ali Sami Yen Arena in Istanbul, a match that FIFA President Sepp Blatter - who is also an IOC member - is due to attend.

"Hosting the 17th Mediterranean Games here in Turkey adds to our ever increasing pool of experience and expertise in hosting major sporting events," said Erdener.

"In the last seven years, Turkey has hosted over 40 major international events, with Istanbul hosting 12 last year alone.

"The Mediterranean Games provide us with yet another opportunity to refine our offering to the NOCs (National Olympic Committees) and their athletes and ensure that Istanbul 2020 honours its commitment to providing the most comprehensive NOC solution and support package."


This is the first occasion that Turkey has hosted the Mediterranean Games, having last staged them at Izmir in 1971.

The endangered loggerhead sea turtles that inhabit Mersin and Cleopatra - an island off the coast of Turkey where Queen Cleopatra supposedly held secret meetings with her lover Mark Anthony - who once sunbathed near the town centuries ago, were the main stars of the Opening Ceremony for the Games, which adopted the slogan "three continents, one heart."

"The Mediterranean is peace, it is warmth, love, sharing, solidarity, friendship and brotherhood," said Erdoğan.

"The Mediterranean is the framework of our family,"

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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