Gezi Park protests in Turkey trigger concern for Mediterranean Games

BERLIN – Reuters

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has opened the facilities of the 17th Mediterranean Games, which will be hosted in the southern province of Mersin between June 20 and 30. AA photo

The protests across several major Turkish cities since the end of May have raised concerns for the safety of the upcoming Mediterranean Games in the country's coastal city of Mersin.

In a letter obtained by Reuters and addressed to 2013 Mediterranean Games organizers, the International Committee of Mediterranean Games (ICMG) is asking for security assurances and more information regarding the on-going demonstrations.

"I am writing to express, on behalf of my colleagues, our great concern and sympathy for the unfortunate events that have occurred in Turkey," ICMG secretary general Isidoros Kouvelos said in the letter addressed to Uğur Erdener, head of Turkey's Olympic Committee and to Mersin Mediterranean Games organizers.

"As you understand, all the Mediterranean family finds this situation quite worrying, especially as the Opening of the Games of Mersin will be in a few days," he said in the letter dated June 6.

Mersin will host the international multi-sports event between June 20-30.

Istanbul, bidding to host the 2020 Olympics, has witnessed tens of thousands of people flooding the central Taksim Square, where protests began nine days ago.

The demonstrations have spread to several major cities, including the capital Ankara, with under-fire Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warning that his patience was running out.

"In order to reassure the Mediterranean family, I think it would be useful if you could give to ICMG and all Mediterranean NOCs (national Olympic committees) more precise information about the situation in the area Adana-Mersin and also the assurance that all the necessary measures have been taken in order to ensure the safety of the Games."

The Olympics-style event is held once every four years, with some 24 countries from the Mediterranean basin competing in 27 sports including athletics, swimming, gymnastics, football and basketball.

Mediterranean Games organizers could not be immediately reached for a comment.