Mediterranean games in Pescara

The Italians kept their primacy

Since 1951 to 1991, Mediterranean games had been held one year before the Olympic games. From that moment on, they have been ocurring in the year after the Olympic games. For that reason, the results have been much better, due to the opportunity to prepare for the Olympic games in this ocasion. As much as 90 records have been beaten in Pescara, the most in swimming (37), and then in weightlifting (29), archery (19) and athletics (8)


By RADOMIR ĐUROVIĆ
from Belgrade, SERBIA


The Italian city Pescara hosted the 26th Mediterranean games. This competition gathered more than 3,000 sportsmen from 23 countries to compete in 28 disciplines. After Bari (1997), these were the largest games that took place on the Mediterranean. The most successful country was Italy with 176 medals (64 golden, 49 silver and 63 bronze), followed by France with 140 (48, 53, 39) and Spain with 83 medals (28, 21, 34). The Italians kept their leadership earned four years ago in Almeria, Spain. Serba had its debut as an independent country and finished in 8th place with 35 medals (9 golden, 13 silver and 13 bronze). Four years ago, Serbia and Montenegro brought home 32 medals, so this result in Pescara is certainly worth mentioning. Croatia and Slovenia (who were ahead in Almeria) stayed behind this time.

One more country participated for the first time - Montenegro. They won seven medals (2 golden, 2 silver and 3 bronze) and stayed at 16th place. Miroslav Petković (bowls) and Boško Drašković (boxer, 81 kg) took gold medals.

From Serbia, 154 sportsmen went to Pescara. Gold medals were awarded to wrestlers Kristijan Fris (55 kg) and Davor Štefanek (60 kg), swimmers Miroslava Najdanovski (100 m free style) and Ivan Lenđer (100 m dolphin style), shooters Zorana Arunović (pistol) and Andrea Arsović (rifle), judist Miloš Mijalković (66 kg), handball and waterpolo teams. Kristijan Fris and Miloš Mijalković were the only sportsmen from Serbia to keep golden medals from Almeria.

- They say it's harder to defend a golden medal than to gain it for the first time. This year I was injured, the preparations were running late, I didn't participate in other competitions, but all of this was forgotten on the match day. As the fights went on, I secretly wished for a medal and my self confidence grew up. The competition was the same as in Almeria, and the Italians, French and Spanish people came with their best teams - stated Mijalković and added that the organization was perfect.

Since 1951 to 1991, Mediterranean games had been held one year before the Olympic games. From that moment on, they have been ocurring in the year after the Olympic games. For that reason, the results have been much better, due to the opportunity to prepare for the Olympic games in this ocasion. As much as 90 records have been beaten in Pescara, the most in swimming (37), and then in weightlifting (29), archery (19) and athletics (8).

Two of the world records were broken, both in swimming. Aschwin Wildeboer Faber, a sportsman with an origin from the Netherlands competing for Spain, was indefeatable in back-style where in all three disciplines (50, 100 and 200 meters) he gained golden medals. He also achieved the time of 52,38 seconds (100m) and broke last year's record held by the American Aaron Peirsol. Still, only a week later, this American sportsman improved his score in the National USA competition, finishing in 51,94 seconds. Federica Pellegrini from Italy swum 400 meters freestyle in 4:00:41, which is 25/100 seconds better than the record gained by the Brittish woman Joan Jackson in March. This way Pellegrini improved the bad picture from last year's Olympic games in Beijing to which she came as a world recorder and finished 5th.

In the finals, Ivan Lenđer made a new mediterranean record in 100 m dolphin style finishing in 51.79 seconds. Andrea Arsović broke two mediterranean records in shooting from an air rifle. In the primal part, she hit 398 circles, and in the finals 502.

The toughest competitions were those in waterpolo and handball, since these sports are very popular in Mediterranean zone. For the waterpolo team, it was a nice preparation for upcoming World championship which will be held in Rome, so the teams came to Pescara in it's best combinations. The biggest disappointment was the basketball team of Serbia who finished 8th, and they lost even to Albania in 5th place match. Some sportsmen returned to Belgrade immediatelly due to the Universiade. Next Mediterranean games will be held in Greek cities Voloso and Larisa in the year 2013.


(Published: 18.07.2009.)