Egypt dedicate record Mediterranean Games medal haul to President el-Sisi

Egypt’s delegation has dedicated its historic performance at the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games to President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, in recognition of his continued support for sport and athletes.

Egypt finished fifth in the overall standings and top among Arab nations after collecting 58 medals at the Games, held in Italy.

Yasser Idris, president of the Egyptian Olympic Committee, said the decision to dedicate the achievement to the president reflected a common view among the country’s athletes and all members of the delegation.

They believe Egypt’s performance in Taranto was one of the results of the political leadership’s backing for sport, athletes and the wider development of sporting talent.

“Egypt’s male and female champions did not carry only their personal dreams to Taranto; they carried the flag of an entire nation,” Idris said.

“They returned to Egypt with a historic achievement of 58 medals of various kinds, proving that Egypt, which invests in its people, supports their talent and opens the door to their dreams, is capable of producing champions who raise its flag at the biggest events.”

Egypt’s medal total comprised 23 golds, 16 silvers and 19 bronzes. The haul was recorded before the conclusion of the final day’s competitions.

Based on the number of gold medals, Egypt finished behind Italy, Turkey, Greece and France in the overall standings. Its fifth-place finish also made it the leading Arab delegation at Taranto 2026.

The result represented an improvement on Egypt’s previous appearance at the Mediterranean Games, in Oran, Algeria, in 2022. Egypt won 51 medals there, including 13 golds, 15 silvers and 23 bronzes, and ended the event sixth in the overall rankings.

Idris credited the achievement to the combined efforts of state institutions, particularly the Ministry of Youth and Sports under Minister Jawhar Nabil. He praised the ministry’s support for the delegation, national sports federations and athletes, as well as its cooperation with the Egyptian Olympic Committee and all parts of the country’s sporting system.

“This achievement was the result of coordinated efforts and continued support from the state’s institutions,” Idris said.

He also highlighted the backing Egypt’s athletes receive from President el-Sisi, saying it represented the government’s vision of developing Egyptian citizens able to compete and succeed.

“The support provided by President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to sport and athletes reflects the vision of the modern Egyptian state in building an Egyptian person capable of competing and achieving,” Idris said.

“What was achieved in Taranto is one of the shining examples of this vision.”

Idris accompanied the Egyptian delegation in Italy and offered a final message reflecting the significance of the medal-winning campaign.

“A medal was a moment of joy, but the Egyptian flag was the whole story,” he said. “Thank you to those who believed in the dream, and made the achievement possible. And thank you to those who supported the person, and made the champion.”