“For once in this wonderful and somewhat complicated city let’s not divide ourselves and enjoy the many goals that are being achieved, for a growing number of citizens and categories of our community”. This is the meaning of the reflections of the Mayor of Taranto Rinaldo Melucci as a corollary to today’s visit of Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi, to take stock of the work together with the commissioner structure and the organizing committee of the XX Mediterranean Games of Taranto 2026.
The meeting touched on various topics that concerned not only the immediate. In particular, the interview also focused on on the inheritance who will leave the Games and on the future of sports facilities in Tarantoof which the minister himself appreciated the great potential. And it was in this context that the opportunities and initiatives studied at government level were discussed in the context of policies aimed at combating school dropout and bringing young people closer to sports practices. But, then, also investments for the recovery of peripheral urban areas through the use of projects, calls for tenders and measures. Ideas and proposals that will complement what is being done in the area in view of the great international event of 2026.
«While waiting – continued the mayor – for it to be approved by the Government the revised Masterplan of the great international event, which is already generating interest, investments and spin-offs for the “city of the two seas”, for example, we cannot fail to express satisfaction for the projects of the new sports facilities, which are entering operational phase and will make Taranto a point of reference in the world of national sport and beyond well beyond the program of the August 2026 Games. Among these the swimming stadium, the new PalaRicciardi, the Magna Grecia multipurpose centre and, of course, the new Iacovone Stadium, without forgetting the renovated Valente athletics stadium, already under construction».
«Come per i BAC just redeveloped and many other initiatives, we promised it to our citizens and I feel I can say that after decades of inaction, on the right as well as on the left, this municipal administration is keeping all its commitments. It will be exciting to celebrate the opening ceremony of the Games in the new Iacovone Stadiumin front of 21,000 crazy spectators from Taranto”, again Melucci’s words.
