5th October 1951 - First Mediterranean Games, Alexandria. Photogravure by the Survey Department, Cairo. Usage valid until 4 February 1952.

The Mediterranean Games is a sporting event held every four years. The participating Mediterranean countries include those from Asia, Africa and Europe. The idea of the championship emerged in the 1948 Summer Olympics. It was proposed by Mohamed Taher Pasha, head of the Egyptian Olympic Committee, and was held for the first time in 1951.

The Mediterranean Games involve 23 sporting activities: athletics, rowing, basketball, boxing, cycling, weightlifting, fencing, golf, gymnastics, soccer, handball, karate, swimming, judo, wrestling, tennis, archery, water polo, sailing, table tennis, volleyball, Pétanque, and equestrian events. The Egyptian committee, led by Taher Pasha, was formed to organize the new tournament and it was opened by King Farouk. From 5th to 20th October 1951, 969 athletes, representing 11 countries, participated in 11 games. The participating countries were Spain, France, Italy, Yugoslavia, Greece, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Malta and Monaco, in addition to Egypt. The inaugural ceremony took 22 minutes in Alexandria Stadium. France won the first tournament, Italy the second, and Egypt, the host, the third.