Greeks have yet another reason to celebrate as the Olympic world returns to its roots

The Mediterranean Beach Games have been held in 2015 and 2019. (ICMG)

It seems the Olympic world is revolving around the birthplace of the Games at the moment.

As the IOC and the Olympic Movement prepare for a series of events in Greece over the coming days, the International Committee of Mediterranean Games (ICMG) announced on Thursday that the city of Heraklion, on the island of Crete, was the unanimous choice by the organization’s general assembly to host the third edition of the Mediterranean Beach Games in 2023.

The decision comes two days before the IOC Executive Board meets in Greece for the first time since 2004. Following the in-person gathering in Athens, the EB will travel to Olympia on October 17 and gather at the Pierre du Coubertin monument to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the creation of the EB.

The same day, a ceremony will be held to mark the inauguration of the renovated International Olympic Academy in Ancient Olympia.

The Olympic Flame Lighting Ceremony will then take place in Ancient Olympia on October 18, though without spectators for a second straight time due to the pandemic. The flame will then be taken to Panathenaic Stadium, the next day, for the handover ceremony with Beijing 2022 organizers.

A few days later, the Association of National Olympic Committees is holding its XXV General Assembly on the island of Crete on October 24-25.

Greece will now also be hosting a second straight Mediterranean Beach Games, with Heraklion following Patras in 2019.

In addition to choosing a host city for its Beach Games, the ICMG during its online meeting also elected its first new president in 18 years, with the Italian Davide Tizzano succeeding Algerian Amar Addadi.

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