Copyright (c) 1979 Yugoslav Radio Television and European Broadcasting Union
The 8th edition of the Mediterranean Games were held from 15 to 29 September 1979 at Split, once a part of the former Yugoslavia and now a part of present-day Croatia. Approximately 2,408 athletes from 14 countries had participated in these games where 595 medals were awarded in 25 sports disciplines featured.
It goes without saying that Yugoslavia had fielded the largest delegation with 409 athletes, and it was also the Yugoslavs who had topped the medal table, with 127 medals overall. The hosts had bagged the most gold medals at 56, finishing ahead of France and Italy, which had won 55 and 49 respectively.
While eight other cities in Dalmatia were involved, including Trogir, Makarska, Sinj, Hvar, Šibenik, Zadar, Omiš and Supetar, the then-Yugoslav city of Split was the centerpiece for the event. Thanks to the Mediterranean Games, Split and many other cities in Dalmatia received a variety of new sports facilities. Trogir received a new sports hall, while Omiš renovated their football field. The Hippodrome in Sinj was updated, a field for archery in Supetar on Brač was built, a rowing track in Zaton was made, Zadar and Makarska received a new football field, and Hvar even received a new sports hall.
Split did not just receive functional sports facilities for the Games, they've also received accompanying infrastructure. A large passenger terminal was built at Resnik Airport, and a naval terminal was built in the City Port, as well as a new RTV Center. To top with that, the tunnel through Marjan and the road and rail routes created preconditions for solving traffic problems in the city and its surroundings, and a series of interventions on the reconstruction of electricity, water supply, and sewage systems, and telecommunication connections were carried out.
