New Disappointment for Morocco at the World Athletics Championship: All Eyes on Soufiane El Bakkali
The disappointments continue for Morocco at the World Athletics Championship in Tokyo, where several athletes faltered in various events. Some were unable to keep up with the high pace, while others had to withdraw before crossing the finish line, leaving significant questions about their readiness and the preparation leading up to this global event.
The Moroccan contingent, which had fans expecting commendable results, failed to deliver on the ground, as most races showed a lack of true competitiveness against global champions. The discrepancies were evident in both physical fitness and mental presence, which directly reflected in the disappointing outcomes.
With the series of setbacks among the runners, only Soufiane El Bakkali remains—a champion from the Tokyo Olympics and the owner of the world gold in the 3000-meter steeplechase. He stands as the sole hope for Moroccans to salvage the national participation from a major setback. El Bakkali, who has proven on multiple occasions his capabilities to compete at the highest level, is called upon to carry the flag and uphold the honor of Moroccan athletics, which has been in a difficult state for years.
This scenario reignites discussions about the state of athletics in Morocco, which has historically brought glory to national sports through luminaries like Hicham El Guerrouj, Nawal El Moutawakel, and Saïd Aouita. However, the present appears bleak amidst the absence of a clear strategy to nurture and refine talents, contrasted by a modest presence unworthy of the legacy of “the Queen of Sports.”
Moroccan fans await with caution El Bakkali’s race, understanding that any new stumble could plunge Moroccan athletics into a cycle of criticism and pressure, while hope remains that the world champion continues to write history and grant Morocco a shining medal in the skies of Tokyo.
