The 20th Mediterranean Games were officially opened this evening at the Erasmo Iacovone Stadium in Taranto, where around 4,500 athletes from 26 countries across Europe, Africa and Asia will compete until 3 September.
Montenegro’s flag at the Opening Ceremony was carried by boxer Bojana Gojković and swimmer Miloš Milenković. Gojković will compete in the up to 57 kg category in Taranto, while Milenković, making his Mediterranean Games debut, will compete in the 50 m and 100 m butterfly events.
Montenegro is represented at the Games by 55 athletes competing in 13 sports: athletics, bocce, boxing, judo, sailing, karate, padel, swimming, rhythmic gymnastics, shooting, taekwondo, tennis and water polo. The karate team is the largest individual squad, with ten competitors, while water polo is the only team sport in which Montenegro is competing.
This is Montenegro’s fifth appearance at the Mediterranean Games since the restoration of independence, with Montenegrin athletes having won a total of 22 medals at previous editions.
President of NOC Montenegro Dušan Simonović emphasised that the Mediterranean Games hold particular significance for Montenegro, especially at a time when a large number of young athletes are being given the opportunity to gain experience on the senior multi-sport stage.
“The Mediterranean Games are much more than just another major competition for us. They are an important stage in the development of our athletes, especially the younger ones, for whom Taranto offers the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of a major multi-sport event, compete against strong international opposition and take an important step towards the challenges ahead. It is precisely at competitions such as these that athletes build the experience, confidence and national team character needed for what comes next, including the road to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games,” Simonović said.
He also stressed the additional symbolism of this year’s Games for Montenegrin sport. “This year we are marking two decades since the restoration of Montenegro’s independence and two decades since our athletes began competing under their own flag at major international events. That is why the image of Bojana and Miloš carrying the Montenegrin flag at the Opening Ceremony is particularly powerful. It reminds us of the journey we have made, of the generations that built Montenegrin sport, but also of the young athletes who are now taking on that responsibility and carrying it forward. It is a continuity we are proud of,” Simonović said.
The composition of the Montenegrin delegation in Taranto combines the experience of established national team members with the youth of athletes for whom this will be their first major senior multi-sport appearance. For some of them, the Mediterranean Games also represent an important test in the cycle leading towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The first appearances by Montenegrin athletes are scheduled for the opening day of competition, 22 August, in bocce, boxing, padel, swimming and taekwondo.
PHOTO and VIDEO gallery – Team MNE @ Taranto 2026 – https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD2GR8
