1979 Mediterranean Games

8th edition of the Mediterranean Games VIII Mediterranean GamesSplit 1979 1979 Mediterranean Games.png 170 Split, Yugoslavia 14 2,408 192 in 26 sports 15 September 1979 29 September 1979 Josip Broz Tito Gradski stadion u Poljudu Algiers 1975 Casablanca 1983 The 1979 Mediterranean Games, officially known as the VIII Mediterranean Games, and commonly known as Split 1979, were the 8th Mediterranean Games. The Games were held in Split, Yugoslavia, from 15 to 29 September 1979, where 2,408 athletes (2,009 men and 399 women) from 14 countries participated. There were a total of 192 medal events from 26 different sports. The games' mascot was a Mediterranean monk seal named Adrijana. Bidding process The proposal for Split to host the Mediterranean Games was initiated in March 1969 by the local sports federation. https://hrcak.srce.hr/247445 Matea Mihaljević Jurković Croatian Pleter 2 191–211 Mediteranske igre u Splitu 1979. godine The 1979 Mediterranean games in Split 2018 9 October 2024 Following a series of meetings and negotiations with national sports bodies in Zagreb and Belgrade, Split secured the right to submit a bid, surpassing Rijeka due to its stronger sporting tradition. Algiers was nevertheless selected to host the 1975 Mediterranean Games with Split's bid postponed for the 1979 Games ensuring by that backing of President of Yugoslavia Josip Broz Tito. Tito highlighted the importance of Algiers hosting the Games to support the development of sports in Africa. Split's candidacy was officially confirmed in 1975, and preparations commenced, including the construction of new facilities such as Poljud Stadium and additional venues in Split and nearby towns. The 1979 Games took place against the backdrop of global tensions, including the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and conflicts in the Middle East. Development and preparation thumb|Stadion Poljud built to host the Games (photo from 2024) Since Split could not bear the full financial burden, the Games were recognized as a pan-Yugoslav event, and funding was sourced through solidarity and cooperation between Yugoslavia's socialist republics and autonomous provinces. The Federal Executive Council established the Committee of the VIII Mediterranean Games to oversee preparations. https://hrcak.srce.hr/306574 Zlatko Begonja Luka Knez Miscellanea Hadriatica et Mediterranea 9 123–154 Tajna akcija "Igre 79": Mediteranske igre i jugoslavenske tajne službe 2022 9 October 2024 Key figures included Stane Dolanc and several vice-presidents and committee members from politics, sports, and business. Dolanc acknowledged existing problems among Mediterranean countries and suggested that the Games could foster positive processes. https://hrcak.srce.hr/160758 Jasenko Zekić Časopis za suvremenu povijest 48 1 97–117 Mediteranske igre u Splitu – odrazi političke dimenzije u tiskanim medijima 2016 9 October 2024 The Games also facilitated diplomatic engagements, such as discussion between Josip Broz Tito and Rabah Bitat regarding the outcomes of the 6th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement in Havana, Cuba and a formal visit from Malian President Moussa Traoré. Sports The sports program featured 192 events. The number in parentheses next to the sport is the number of medal events per sport. 18em Archery (2) Athletics (37) Basketball (1) Boxing (11) Canoeing (13) Cycling (2) Diving (4) Equestrian (2) Fencing (4) Field hockey (1) Football (1) Gymnastics (14) Handball (2) Judo (8) Rowing (8) Rugby union (1) Sailing (3) Shooting (8) Swimming (26) Table tennis (7) Tennis (4) Volleyball (2) Water polo (1) Weightlifting (10) Wrestling (20) Medal table YUG flaglink at the 1979 Mediterranean Games 56 38 33 yes 55 40 34 49 63 47 16 20 32 ESP at the 1979 Mediterranean Games 1977 7 10 13 5 5 14 3 9 10 EGY at the 1979 Mediterranean Games 1972 1 5 10 1 2 9 TUN at the 1979 Mediterranean Games 1959 1 1 0 1 0 0 SYR at the 1979 Mediterranean Games 1972 0 2 3 Participating nations The following is a list of nations that participated in the 1979 Mediterranean Games: 18em ALG 1979 Mediterranean Games 136 EGY 1979 Mediterranean Games 205 FRA 1979 Mediterranean Games 287 GRE 1979 Mediterranean Games 195 ITA 1979 Mediterranean Games 368 LIB 1979 Mediterranean Games 13 MLT 1979 Mediterranean Games 68 MON 1979 Mediterranean Games 5 MAR 1979 Mediterranean Games 106 ESP 1979 Mediterranean Games 263 SYR 1979 Mediterranean Games 11 TUN 1979 Mediterranean Games 154 TUR 1979 Mediterranean Games 188 YUG 1979 Mediterranean Games 409 Broadcasting Mediteranpress, originally launched as a monthly publication to provide updates on the preparation of the Games, became a weekly newspaper in early 1979. It was produced by editorial teams from "Sport" (Belgrade), "Sportske novosti" (Zagreb), and "Slobodna Dalmacija" (Split), and the Yugoslav news agency Tanjug widely distributed its content. During the Games, Mediteranpress evolved into a daily publication, serving as the official newspaper in Serbo-Croatian and French, with copies available in Arabic. Key articles were translated into English, French, and Arabic and distributed abroad. See also 1984 Winter Olympics 1987 Summer Universiade References Serbian Olympic Committee External links International Mediterranean Games Committee Mediterranean Games Athletic results at gbrathletics website M Mediterranean Games M M Category:Sports competitions in Split, Croatia Category:Multi-sport events in Yugoslavia Category:Mediterranean Games by year Mediterranean Games