19th Mediterranean Games opening in pictures

June 26: The 19th Mediterranean Games kicked off on Saturday night in the province of Oran, some 540km western of Algerian capital Algiers.

A two-hour-long opening ceremony was held at a crowded Oran Olympic Stadium, as athletes representing 26 Mediterranean nations walked into the stadium with their national colours. The athletes will compete in 24 disciplines.

This is the second time Algeria hosts the Mediterranean Games after 1975.

The first edition of the Mediterranean Games was organized in 1951 in Egypt's Alexandria, and since 1993 the Games have been held in the year that follows the summer Olympic Games.

The delegation of France parades into the Oran Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 19th Mediterranean Games. in Oran, Algeria, on June 25, 2022. 

The delegation of Egypt parades into the Oran Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 19th Mediterranean Games.

The photo shows a scene of the performance during the opening ceremony of the 19th Mediterranean Games.

The photo shows a scene of the performance during the opening ceremony of the 19th Mediterranean Games.

Fireworks illuminate the night sky during the opening ceremony of the 19th Mediterranean Games.

A drone show is seen during the opening ceremony of the 19th Mediterranean Games.

Fireworks illuminate the night sky during the opening ceremony of the 19th Mediterranean Games.

The photo shows a scene of the performance during the opening ceremony of the 19th Mediterranean Games.

The photo shows a scene of the performance during the opening ceremony of the 19th Mediterranean Games.

The delegation of Portugal parades into the Oran Olympic Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 19th Mediterranean Games.