At the 11th edition of the All-Africa Games currently taking place in Brazzaville, Congo, Egypt has had a flying start so far. By the end of day five, Egypt was leading the medals table with an overall 50 medals – 16 gold, 17 silver and 17 bronze. South Africa comes second with 40 medals so far – 16 gold, 13 silver and 11 bronze, while Algeria follows in third place with 36 medals – 13 gold, 11 silver and 12 bronze. Egypt's medals have been won thus far in just three sports: fencing, swimming and gymnastics. The fencers claimed three gold medals, as did the swimmers. Two gold went to the gymnasts. Altogether 49 African countries are taking part in the two-week event which started Friday with the opening ceremony that took place in Kintele Stadium. The 6,000-seater was specifically built for the Games. The spectators enjoyed the spectacular inauguration of the Games which was officially declared open by Denis Sassou Nguesso, the president of the Republic of Congo. Thousands of athletes are enthusiastically fighting for glory and for medals as they compete in 22 sports. The event, the biggest in African sports, is attracting massive media coverage as well. The 2015 Games marks the 50th anniversary of the continental Games which is held every four years. The Games also return to Congo, which had hosted the first edition back in 1965. Three nations competed in the bid to host the 11th edition – Ghana, Kenya and Congo. On 14 September 2011, the Supreme Council for Sports in Africa awarded the rights to Brazzaville as the host city. Egypt has dominated the African Games since its creationw in 1965, leading the top five countries in the most medals won in the history of the Games. Prior to the event in Congo, the Egyptians come first with a total of 904 medals in the past 10 editions – 373 gold, 270 silver and 261 bronze medals. Nigeria is in all-time second in the overall results with 836 medals and South Africa third with 509 medals.
