Olympic medallists take centre stage as archery returns to Mediterranean Games
Some of the world’s leading recurve archers from Africa, Europe and Asia will gather in Taranto (Italy) this week as archery returns to the Mediterranean Games following its appearance at Oran 2022.
The 2026 edition marks a significant milestone, with the Mediterranean Games celebrating 75 years since the inaugural event was held in Alexandria (Egypt) in 1951. Around 4000 athletes from 26 nations will compete across 33 sports at the 20th edition of the multisport event.
Archery competition takes place from 26-28 August at the Nuovo Palazzetto dello Sport in Crispiano, with 66 archers representing 18 nations competing for five gold medals, world ranking points and regional honours.
Türkiye’s Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion and former Mediterranean Games winner Mete Gazoz headlines a strong recurve men’s field. He is joined by World Archery Champion Andres Temiño Mediel of Spain and Thomas Chirault, who was part of the French recurve men’s team that claimed silver at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
World number eight Elia Canales of Spain leads the women’s field. The 2023 European Games champion will be among the leading contenders for individual honours in Taranto.
Hosts Italy will also look to make their mark through Matteo Borsani, winner at the Chengdu 2025 World Games, and Roberta Di Francesco, who claimed individual and team gold at the 2024 World Archery Field Championships.
Key information
What’s happening? The 20th edition of the Mediterranean Games takes place from 21 August to 3 September in Taranto (Italy). Archery is one of 33 sports on the programme and will be contested from 26-28 August at the Nuovo Palazzetto dello Sport in Crispiano.
What’s at stake? Five gold medals, world ranking points and regional honours.
Who’s competing? A total of 66 archers from 18 nations: Algeria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Kosovo, Lebanon, Libya, Portugal, San Marino, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Syria, Tunisia and Türkiye.
What’s the story? Archery returns to the Mediterranean Games programme following its appearance at Oran 2022, with Olympic, world and continental champions leading a strong recurve field in Taranto. The sport made its Mediterranean Games debut in 1971.
Schedule
- Wednesday 26 August: Qualifying and team eliminations
- Thursday 27 August: Individual and mixed team eliminations
- Friday 28 August: Individual and teams finals
How to watch
Live scores will be available throughout the week on the World Archery website, along with coverage across World Archery’s digital platforms.
The event will not be livestreamed.
Who’s competing?
These are notable archers competing at Taranto 2026:
- Recurve men: Mete Gazoz, Türkiye (world rank: 4), Andres Temiño Mediel, Spain (world rank: 5), Matteo Borsani, Italy (world rank: 7), Thomas Chirault, France (world rank: 9)
- Recurve women: Elia Canales, Spain (world rank: 8), Roberta di Francesco, Italy (world rank: 13)
These are the reigning champions from Oran 2022:
- Recurve men: Federico Musolesi, Italy (not returning)
- Recurve women: Leyre Fernandez Infante, Spain
Competition at the Taranto 2026 Mediterranean Games begins on 26 August.
