Taranto: The Egyptian delegation took part in the opening parade of the 20th Mediterranean Games, Taranto 2026, which are being held in the Italian city of Taranto and will run through September 3. Olympic champion Mohamed El Sayed, a member of Egypt's national fencing team, and swimmer Farida Osman carried the Egyptian flag during the opening ceremony.According to State Information Service Egypt, the two athletes were selected in recognition of their sporting careers and achievements at the continental and international levels to carry Egypt's flag at the opening of one of the major sporting events bringing together countries of the Mediterranean basin. The Taranto 2026 competitions will continue until September 3, with a large number of athletes from participating countries taking part, while the Egyptian delegation is seeking strong results and as many medals as possible.The Egyptian delegation is competing in a wide range of sports, including archery, athletics, badminton, 3x3 basketball, boxing, cano eing and kayaking, equestrian, fencing, swimming, gymnastics, handball, judo, karate, padel, rowing, sailing, shooting, table tennis, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling, fin swimming, and inline skating.Egypt has a strong record in the Mediterranean Games, ranking sixth among the countries with the most medals in the history of the competition, with 620 medals, including 156 gold, 209 silver, and 255 bronze. The Egyptian delegation is seeking to build on this record at the 20th edition and add more medals to the country's tally.