Volos, the third largest port of Greece, and Larisa, two historical cities located in the region of Thessaly, in central Greece, distinguished for their sports activities throughout the years, bid for the hosting of the XVII Mediterranean Games of 2013. The other applicant cities are Rijeka (Croatia) and Mersin (Turkey).

Isidoros Kouvelos, President of the Bid Committee, on the occasion of the first visit of the Evaluation Commission of the International Committee for the Mediterranean Games for the hosting of the XVII Mediterranean Games, stated that "the bid of Volos and Larisa for the hosting of the 2013 Mediterranean Games is first and foremost human-centred. Its objective is to promote the culture, the environment, the friendship and the cooperation of the Mediterranean people and at the same time to upgrade the Games, by offering the best hospitality and the best competition conditions to the athletes, and the best coverage of their efforts. We, as a professional team that has the unique experience of organizing successful Olympic Games in 2004, with highly-trained volunteers and with the full support of the local societies, would like to declare and prove in practice to our distinguished visitors that we have the will and the ability to organize unique Mediterranean Games in 2013."

Deputy Minister of Sports George Orfanos said on his part that "the Greek government faces with great interest the candidacy for the hosting of the Mediterranean Games in 2013. The upgrading of the Games and the hospitality of major international events in Greece are part of our policy's priorities. Greece is able and willing to organize the Mediterranean Games, as it has a unique experience in international events. We will be ready to host unique Mediterranean Games in 2013, if you give us the honor to select the candidacy of VOLOS 2013."

The Evaluation Commission of the International Committee for the Mediterranean Games for the 17th Mediterranean Games will be making an evaluation visit to Volos and Larissa between January 9-13, 2007, to make an assessment of Greece's candidacy to host the Mediterranean Games in 2013.

The Evaluation commission will be in Volos with all its members and will be composed of President Jacques Grospeillet (France) and its members Souhail Khoury (Lebanon), Jose Maria Echevarria (Spain), Moustafa Zekhri (Morocco) and Sophie Metais (France).

Source: Athens News Agency

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