By Yasyn Mouhir
Marrakech - Morocco will be represented by a delegation of 22 athletes, including 14 men and 8 women, at the 15th World Seniors Athletics Championship to be held on August 22-30, in Beijing.
The Moroccan athletes are looking forward to reaffirming themselves medal-winners as in previous years of the competition. Morocco won 5 medals in Seville, 1999 (2 gold, 2 silver and a bronze), 3 in Edmonton, 2001 (2 gold and a silver), and 3 in Helsinki (1 gold and 2 silvers). In the last three years of the competition, Morocco did not win any medal.
The Moroccan male squad will be led by Abdelaati Iguider, who obtained the third best timing of the year at 1500 m (3:28:79). Iguider’s lead was achieved during Monaco’s meeting, last July 17.
As for women athletes, Rabab Arafi, bronze medal-winner at 1500 m will take the lead for the female squad. Arafi won the medal at the last African Championship in Marrakesh.
The Moroccan National Athletics Team obtained 27 medals in the last 14 editions of World Athletics (10 gold, 11 silver and 6 bronze).
Morocco has proudly maintained its presence at the winners podium, except in 1993 (Stuttgart), 2009 (Berlin), 2011 (Daegu), and 2013 (Moscow).
The championship in Seville was the most prolific for the national team, which won 5 medals: two gold medals by Hicham El Guerrouj at 1500 m and Salah Hissou at 5000 m; two silver medals by Nezha Bidouan at 400 m Hurdles and Zahra Ouaaziz at 5000 m; and a bronze medal by Ali Ezzin at 3000 m steeplechase.
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