The 1979 Mediterranean games in Split

Abstract

Sport has always represented a very important component of human life. In sports, people from around the world meet each other regardless of race, culture, religion, gender and nationality. It is an area of mutual interdependencies between the ideals of cooperation, friendship and equality, an area in which people can attain notable achievements, break records and test their own limits. In addition, sport is the intersection of all human activities. Preparation of sport events is best reflected on the economic, social and technological aspects. These are some of the indicators of the organizer’s status and cultural background. An example of such a major sporting event are the Mediterranean Games, competition which every four years brings together athletes from the Mediterranean at the same location. The organizer of the eight Mediterranean Games, in 1979, was the city of Split, then a part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. It was an unprecedented sporting spectacle which built the reputation of Yugoslavia and which, in many ways, marked a real revolution. This article showcases sporting facilities that were purpose-built, ways the event was funded and the roles the media, marketing, advertising and JNA had on the event, as well as how Split got to host the games and what that meant for the society then and now regarding the development of sports on a national and international level.