2500 athletes, over 400 competitions, 24 sports disciplines and 130 participating associations: these are just some numbers of the 3rd edition of the “Metropolitan Olympics” promoted and organized by the Metropolitan City of Bari, which will take place from 16 to 30 June in 26 municipalities in the area . The initiative is sponsored by Coni Puglia, Sport and Health, FEDERFARMA, FIDAL (Italian Athletics Federation) FIGC – LND (National Amateur League), CIP Puglia Region (Italian Paralympic Committee) FITP (Italian Tennis and Padel Federation), FIJILKAM (Italian Judo Wrestling Karate Martial Arts Federation) FGI (Italian Gymnastics Federation).
After the success recorded last year, this third edition was also created with a view to promoting and enhancing sporting and recreational activities, aimed at promoting values such as social inclusion, belonging to the territory, health, psychophysical well-being and aggregation.
The 2024 edition of the “Metropolitan Olympics” was presented in Bari by the metropolitan deputy mayor Michele Laporta and by the Director of the Planning Service of the School Network for the Promotion and Coordination of Youth Policies, Luigia Carbonara, in the presence of the representatives of the Municipalities that joined the initiative , of the presidents of the numerous participating federal and sporting associations. “The spirit of this event is to promote values such as being together, respect for the rules, social inclusion, health, well-being and the spirit of belonging to an extended community such as the metropolitan area through sporting activity. of Bari – said Michele Laporta. The metropolitan city, in recent years, has become the home of all municipalities thanks to its ability to network, planning and designing projects and interventions together. A modus operandi also adopted in this sporting initiative which involved twenty-six local municipalities”.
The event will stop in Acquaviva delle Fonti, Adelfia, Alberobello, Altamura, Bitetto, Bitonto, Capurso, Casamassima, Cassano delle Murge, Cellamare, Conversano, Giovinazzo, Gravina in Puglia, Modugno, Mola di Bari, Molfetta, Monopoli, Noci, Palo del Colle, Ruvo di Puglia, Rutigliano, Sannicandro di Bari, Terlizzi, Triggiano, Turi and Valenzano which have made their sports facilities available.
Tournaments are planned for football 5, basketball F/M, football 9, volleyball F/M, tennis, handball, athletics, cycling, table tennis, swimming, rhythmic gymnastics, artistic gymnastics, taekwondo, skating, karate, triathlon, judo, weight lifting, kick boxing, archery, sports dance, ju jitsu.
The opening ceremony will take place on Sunday 16 June, at 10:00 am, in the Palazzetto Pala Colombo in Ruvo di Puglia, during which it will be possible to appreciate various artistic and sporting performances. Starting from Monday 17 June the tournaments will begin in the municipalities involved (schedule attached).
The final moment of the “Metropolitan Olympics” will be held on Sunday 30 June, at 10:00, with the closing ceremony in Bari, on the Lungomare Nazario Sauro up to Largo Giannella, with the aim of celebrating the many young athletes who have distinguished themselves during competitions. On this occasion, plaques will be delivered to the mayors of the 26 municipalities and to the representatives of the amateur associations; finally, the athletes will parade accompanied by the Altilia Stupor Mundi flag-wavers and the Murgia Majorettes.
