Rabat: Since the inaugural edition of the World Athletics Championships in 1983 in Helsinki, Morocco has consistently showcased its athletic prowess, missing the podium only four times: in Stuttgart (1993), Berlin (2009), Daegu (2011), and Moscow (2013).

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, the 1999 edition in Seville remains Morocco’s most successful, securing five medals: two gold by Hicham El Guerrouj in the 1500m and Salah Hissou in the 5000m, two silver by Nezha Bidouane in the 400m hurdles and Zahra Ouaaziz in the 5000m, and a bronze by Ali Ezzine in the 3000m steeplechase. This achievement placed Morocco 5th in the medal table that year.

Morocco particularly excelled in the 1997, 1999, 2001, and 2003 editions, claiming two gold medals at each. Notable victories include Said Aouita in the 5000m (1987), Jaouad Gharib in the Marathon (2005), and Soufiane El Bakkali in the 3000m steeplechase (2022).

Hicham El Guerrouj stands as Morocco’s most decorated athlete at the World Championships with six medals: four gold in the 1500m and two silver (1500m and 5000m). Soufiane El Bakkali, a double world champion in the 3000m steeplechase, follows with four medals (two gold, one silver, and one bronze), surpassing Nezha Bidouane, who won two golds in the 400m hurdles in Athens (1997) and Edmonton (2001), along with a silver in Seville (1999).

Said Aouita made history in 1983 as the first Arab athlete to win a World Championships medal, taking bronze in the 1500m. Hicham El Guerrouj carried the torch, earning four world titles between 1997 and 2003 and two Olympic gold medals in Athens 2004 (1500m and 5000m), solidifying Morocco’s status as a leading athletics nation.

Further, Morocco will be represented by 20 athletes (14 men and 6 women) at the 20th World Championships in Athletics, scheduled from September 13 to 21 in Tokyo. Soufiane El Bakkali, competing in the 3000m steeplechase, aims for a third world title.