HistoryData
sports1955

1955 Mediterranean Games — 2nd edition of the Mediterranean Games

January 1, 1955

The 2nd Mediterranean Games brought 1,135 male athletes from 10 nations to Barcelona in 1955, establishing early traditions of the multi-sport regional competition.

Quick Facts

Year
1955
Category
sports

Key Facts

Dates
15–25 July 1955
Duration
10 days
Participating countries
10
Athletes
1,135 (all men)
Medal events
102 across 19 sports
Medals table leader
France (1st), Italy (2nd), Spain (3rd)

By the Numbers

15
Dates
10
Duration
10
Participating countries
1,135
Athletes

Location

Map of Barcelona, SpainMap of Barcelona, SpainBarcelona, Spain

Cause → Event → Consequence

Cause

Following the inaugural Mediterranean Games of 1951, the Mediterranean Games Committee sought to continue the regional multi-sport tradition. Barcelona was selected to host the second edition, and the city's 1929-built Olympic Stadium was renovated specifically to meet the demands of the competition.

Event

The II Mediterranean Games were held in Barcelona, Spain, from 15 to 25 July 1955. A total of 1,135 male athletes representing 10 countries competed across 102 medal events in 19 sports. The Games were staged primarily at the Olympic Stadium and the Palace of Sport of Barcelona.

Consequence

France topped the medals table, followed by Italy and Spain. The Games introduced the symbol of an amphora filled with Mediterranean Sea water, a tradition first used at this edition. The event reinforced Barcelona's status as a major sporting venue and helped consolidate the Mediterranean Games as a recurring regional institution.

Result

France (1st in medals table)
vs
Italy (2nd), Spain (3rd)

at Olympic Stadium and Palace of Sport, Barcelona

First use of the amphora filled with Mediterranean Sea water as the Games symbol

Timeline Context

Timeline around 19551955195219531954195619571958Anti-Christian riot in Jordan1955 South American Championship — football tournament1955 battle in the Chinese Civil War1955 Formula One season — sports seasonEuroBasket 1955 — 1955 edition of the FIBA EuroBasket1955–58 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup — football tournament1955 Cannes Film Festival — film festival edition1955 Argentine Grand Prix — Formula One motor race held in 19551955-mediterranean-games-2nd-edition-of-the-mediterranean-1955