1959 Mediterranean Games
Encyclopedia
After visiting Africa
and Europe
, the Mediterranean Games
were for the first time held in Asia
in the Lebanese
capital of Beirut
, thus completing the trio of continents belonging to the Mediterranean Sea
. Around a thousand athletes (all men) represented thirteen countries.
The Games, held from October 11 to 23, were a success, arguably thanks to the President of the Lebanese Olympic Committee, who was also the president of the Mediterranean Games Committee.
At the end of the competition, France was on top again. The United Arab Republic (UAR), participating for the first time, came in second, and Turkey came third.
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, the Mediterranean Games
Mediterranean Games
The Mediterranean Games are a multi-sport games held every four years, mainly for nations bordering the Mediterranean Sea, where Europe, Africa and Asia meet. The idea was proposed at the 1948 Summer Olympics by Muhammed Taher Pasha, chairman of the Egyptian Olympic Committee, and they were first...
were for the first time held in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
in the Lebanese
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
capital of Beirut
Beirut
Beirut is the capital and largest city of Lebanon, with a population ranging from 1 million to more than 2 million . Located on a peninsula at the midpoint of Lebanon's Mediterranean coastline, it serves as the country's largest and main seaport, and also forms the Beirut Metropolitan...
, thus completing the trio of continents belonging to the Mediterranean Sea
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
. Around a thousand athletes (all men) represented thirteen countries.
The Games, held from October 11 to 23, were a success, arguably thanks to the President of the Lebanese Olympic Committee, who was also the president of the Mediterranean Games Committee.
At the end of the competition, France was on top again. The United Arab Republic (UAR), participating for the first time, came in second, and Turkey came third.
Medal Table
| 1 |  Early Modern France |
26 | 27 | 16 | 69 |
| 2 |  United Arab Republic |
23 | 21 | 30 | 74 |
| 3 |  Turkey |
13 | 8 | 1 | 22 |
| 4 |  Italy |
12 | 5 | 4 | 21 |
| 5 |  Kingdom of Yugoslavia |
11 | 9 | 8 | 28 |
| 6 |  Greece |
8 | 9 | 13 | 30 |
| 7 |  Spain |
5 | 12 | 12 | 29 |
| 8 |  Lebanon |
3 | 10 | 17 | 30 |
| 9 |  Tunisia |
3 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| 10 |  Morocco |
2 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| Total | 106 | 106 | 104 | 316 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|