European nations dominated the medal table at the third edition of the Mediterranean Beach Games, held between 9 and 16 September in Heraklion, Greece.
The top four spots on the medal table were all taken by European National Olympic Committees with Italy leading the way.
They won 42 of the 164 medals available, including 13 gold medals, 16 silver and 13 bronze across the week of action. Greece came second having won 33 medals, including 13 gold, while Spain were third and France fourth.
Italian swimmer Giorgia Destafani was the only athlete to leave with four medals, including one gold, while Greek pair Georgios Panagiotidis and Vasileia Tsigkola, both swimmers, won three gold medals each.
After securing his third gold medal, Panagiotidis revealed that there was extra motivation in the Greek team following the devastating impact of Storm Daniel on areas of the country, including Thessaloniki where he is from.
He said: “It is important and very nice that we got one of the five medals together as a team and we all worked together for success. More than our individual success, stands the distinction of our team. We work, first and foremost, for the success of the team!
“We saw the devastation in Thessalia, after the floods. I was thinking about the people who lost their homes and property… I know that none of these people will know about our success. They have other priorities. But I keep them in mind when I swim.”
A total of 38 European athletes left Greece with more than one medal, while nine of the European countries taking part won at least one medal.
Paula Garcia Lozania followed up her success in the women’s kata at the European Games 2023 with another gold medal in the beach kata in Greece, while fellow Spaniard and gold medallist from Krakow Damian Quintero Capdevilla won the bronze in the men’s beach kata.
The flag for the fourth edition of the Mediterranean Beach Games 2027 was passed to the Portuguese cities of Lagoa and Portimao, with the Mayor of Lagoa, Luis Encarnação, and Councillor for Sport in the Municipality of Portimao, Teresa Mendes, in attendance at the closing ceremony in the main stadium of the Karteros Beach Sports Centre.
President of the organising committee, Nikos Dampakakis, said: “With this modest ceremony and with respect to the tragedy that three Mediterranean countries, Greece, Libya and Morocco, experienced in the past few days, we close today a beautiful athletic and cultural cycle that opened in this place eight days ago.
“I wish the next host country, Portugal, and the cities of Lagoa and Portimao good luck and all the best in their preparations for the next Mediterranean Beach Games in 2027. We will be at their side for any assistance requested in the difficult task they have undertaken.
“Thank you all for these wonderful eight days of action. The best reward for the hard work of the whole team was the smiles, passion and vibrancy that the athletes brought to our facilities and to Heraklion. May the memories accompany you for the rest of your life.”
