Erdogan opens Mediterranean Games facilities

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has opened the facilities of the 17th Mediterranean Games to be hosted in the southern province of Mersin between June 20 and 30. Speaking at the opening ceremony of Servet Tazegul Sports Hall which was named after Turkey's gold medal winning taekwondo athlete in the 2012 London Games, Erdogan said, "We have done a great job in Mersin in a short time. It was supposed to be held in Greece's Volos city, but due to the financial crisis, it could not be realized. They asked if we could do it. We accepted it. Under normal conditions, countries are informed six years before the games, but we successfully completed the preparations despite being informed only 18 months ago. We have prepared the project of 11 new facilities, contracted them out and completed the construction. We are ready in every field ranging from transportation to catering, and from accommodation to safety and health." Along with 10,000 people, the ceremony was attended by Youth and Sports Minister Suat Kilic, Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan and Culture and Tourism Minister Omer Celik. The games will take place in 54 facilities around the city, 11 of which are brand-new. Athletes from 54 countries will participate in the events.