Turkey’s Mersin has started the 17th Mediterranean Games to demonstrate readiness to host the Olympic Games in 2020. The games were opened by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President of the IOC Jacques Rogge.
2994 people from 24 countries are participating in the games. 430 of them come from Turkey, 421 from Italy and 267 from France.
Turkish Minister for Sports Suat Kilic increased the prize for winners to 500 golden coins.
Head of the directorate for sports of the Sports Ministry Mehmet Baikan said that 10 years had been spent to organize the event.
8,000 police officers and 1,250 special agents and coastal guards will secure the process. 20 special groups were formed to prevent terrorist attacks.
