The Birth of the Mediterranean Games
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HORSE TIMES TBHE IRTH OT F HE MGEDITERRANEAN AMES ByGen.SamiNigmEl-Din personality in the sports when he brought a foreign world. He founded the French trainer 'Colonel Le Egyptian Aero Club in Farg' to train the Egyptian 1931 after having a team. From 1934 to 1947 conviction that sporting he was the president of the Committee from 1952 to activities can serve as an International Flying 1957. Between 1960 and outstanding vehicle for Federation and, from 1936 1964 he was the assistant peace and brotherhood. He to 1952, he was chairman to thethen president of the was also the founder of the of the Egyptian Fencing International Olympic is Royal Highness, Egyptian Equestrian Federation. His energies Committee, Avery HPrince Mohamed Taher Federation in 1942 as well were rewarded with Brundage. He died in Pasha is the father of the as the first president and prestigious posts on the 1970, the year before the Mediterranean Games. Egyptian representative of International Olympic Izmir Games, where the Born in Egypt in 1879, and the first International Committee; having served Turkish Olympic with a doctorate in Olympic committee. His for many years as the head Committee rendered him a Political Sciences, he was most significant of protocol, he became a moving homage. to become a great contribution was in 1942 member of the executive THEFIRSTTHE FIRST MEDITERRANEANGAMESMEDITERRANEAN GAMES HELDINHELD IN ALEXANDRIAALEXANDRIA (October(October 5 5th-20th1951)th - 20th 1951) It needed the dynamic power and fierce perseverance of Committee. Effectively, the following members this popular leader in the sporting field, H.R.H foregathered in Egypt in order to represent the Mohamed Taher Pasha, to carry out successfully this International Olympic Committee: Mr. Armand audacious scheme. As soon as the London Olympics Massard (acting as deputy-chairman of the International were over, he began the build-up of a vibrant sports Olympic Committee), Mr. Angelo Bolanaki, Mr. Jean movement, which aimed to set up a meeting that would Ketseas, Mr.Albert Mayer, Baron de Guëll, Mr. Giorgio involve nations which were already linked by centuries de Stefani and the Chancellor of the International of dialogue and culture.H.R.H Mohamed Taher's project Olympic Committee. Ten Mediterranean countries were was born in a climate of general rebirth after the ravages represented by their athletes who, on the opening day of of the Second World War. Its conception was most the Games, paraded before his Majesty King Farouk. original when it was considered that the land of the These countries were: France, Italy, Spain, Yugoslavia, Pharaohs lies far away from its neighbors dwelling on Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Malta, Greece, Egypt, while the shores of the Mediterranean. The First Monaco asked to be excused. The official program Mediterranean Games are now past history, pointing out included the following sports: Athletics, Swimming, that they were an outstanding success thanks to the high Gymnastics, Weight-lifting, Fencing, Wrestling, spiritual standard of the organizers at the head of who Boxing, Rowing, Basketball and Shooting. On the other stoodH. R. H Mohamed Taher Pasha, member of the hand, several International Federations sent their International Olympic Committee for Egypt. He representatives to Alexandria with the purpose of contrived to select and assure the valuable assistance of supervising technical questions. Their work was much worthy collaborators, who helped him to realize, in the appreciated for it was partly due to their collaboration face of great difficulties, the dearest wish of his life as a that the Games ran so smoothly. Amongst the members Maecenas. Amongst them is mentioned particularly H. of the International Federation was Mr. Gaston R. H Chahine Bey, secretary of the Egyptian Olympic Mullegg. Sep.05 14 HORSE TIMES SomeofthemembersoftheEquestrianShowjumping Team Righttoleft:OmarMansour, AhmedMazhar,MohamedSelimZaki, Mohamed TaherPasha,MohamedKhairy,ColonelLeFarg,andFarouk Al-Heiny. GeneralResultsGeneral Results EgyptianResultsEgyptian Results Tournament 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place Tournament FinalRank Gold Silver Bronze Total rd Alexandria1951 France Italy Egypt Alexandria1951 3outof 10Countries 24 31 20 75 rd Barcelona1955 France Italy Egypt Barcelona1955 3outof 9Countries 13 21 25 59 st Beirut1959 Egypt France Turkey Beirut1959 1outof 13Countries 34 26 30 90 th Naples1963 Italy France Yugoslavia Naples1963 5outof 13Countries 6 13 12 31 Tunis1967 Italy Yugoslavia Spain Tunis1967 Egypt refrained from participation due to the 1967 War th Izmir1971 Italy Yugoslavia Spain Izmir1971 7outof 14Countries 6 10 14 30 th Algiers1975 Italy France Yugoslavia Algiers1975 7outof 15Countries 6 12 16 34 th Split1979 Yugoslavia France Italy Split1979 7outof 14Countries 3 9 10 22 th Casablanca1983 Italy France Spain Casablanca1983 10outof 16Countries 1 9 12 22 th Latakia1987 Italy Yugoslavia France Latakia1987 10outof 18Countries 4 4 6 14 th Athens1991 Italy France Turkey Athens1991 8outof 18Countries 8 10 17 35 th Languedoc1993 France Italy Turkey Languedoc1993 10outof 19Countries 4 9 16 29 th Bari1997 Italy France Turkey Bari1997 11outof 21Countries 3 6 10 19 th Tunis2001 France Italy Spain Tunis2001 9outof 23Countries 7 13 17 37 15 Sep.05.