NEWS

Said Aouita appointed Technical Director of the Moroccan National Athletics Team

The Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation (FRMA) has appointed former Olympic medallist and world champion athlete Said Aouita as technical manager of the national athletics team.

A statement from the FRMA said that Aouita's mission would be focused mainly on "developing the achievements of Moroccan champions who are likely to win medals… through enhancing the search for promising talents with the aim of introducing them to the national teams".

Aouita will also supervise trainers and runners, prepare training programs and camps and oversee the selection of the national teams for each international event and contest.

With his incredible career in athletics and the need for FRMA leaders with extensive experience, the selection of Aouita was only natural.

Aouita won gold in the men's 5,000m race at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Competing in the same race at the 1987 World Championships in Rome, he became the first runner ever to break the 13 minute barrier. He also broke world records in the 1,500m, 2,000m and 3,000m events.

Between September 1983 and September 1990, Aouita won 115 of the 119 races in which he took part. After retiring due to a thigh injury, he obtained a US certificate in sports training and management and worked as a trainer in Morocco, Australia and Qatar.

Nawal El Moutawakel to chair IOC’s 2016 Evaluation Commission

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced the composition of the Evaluation Commission which will visit the four Candidate Cities bidding to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The team will be headed by IAAF Council Member Nawal El Moutawakel, who chaired the Evaluation Commission for the 2012 Olympic Games bid process.

Nawal El Moutawakel is an Olympic champion, a newly elected member of the IOC Executive Board and Sports Minister

Olympic champion in the 400m hurdles at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles; Nawal El Moutawakel was the first Moroccan athlete to win a gold medal. Her outstanding sporting career and her dedication to sport led her to become a member of the IAAF Council in 1995; Secretary of State, responsible for Youth and Sport, to the Minister of Social Affairs in Morocco in 1997 and Minister of Sports in 2007. She has been an IOC member since 1998 and was elected member of the IOC Executive Board during the Olympics in Beijing.

Good results for the Welsh Team in Marrakech

The Welsh National Road Team travelled with us on the 25^th January 2008 and took part in the Marrakech Half Marathon 2008 (Sunday, 27^th January 2008).

Men’s Team:

Richard Gardiner (Cardiff) - Matt Janes (Bedford) - Gwyn Owen (Eryri) - Ian Williams (Trots).

Women’s Team

Tracey Morris (Valley Striders) - Jessica Leitch (Sarn Helen) - Clare Martin (Newport) - Ann Thomas (Trots).

www.welshathletics.org

The Welsh team had some excellent performances in the Marrakech ˝ marathon.  

On a flat fast course, and in perfect conditions Wales came home with four personal bests and an promising debut ˝ marathon from Matt Janes.

Richie Gardiner, led the team home but it was Ian Williams who recorded a personal best.   Tracey did not make the start line but all the other women ran faster than they had done before which is good preparation as all are running the London Marathon,

The Welsh Team results in the Marrakech Half-Marathon 2008:

Richard Gardiner (25^th – 66min:34sec) – Matt Janes (30^th – 67min:48sec) – Ian Williams (86min:47sec) – Gwyn Owen (70min:12sec) – Clare Martin (11^th – 80min:42sec) – Ann Thomas (13^th – 83min:45sec) – Jessica Leitch (15^th – 84min:10sec)

Forthcoming Events in Morocco

* RABAT 10K International Road Race (9^th March 2008)

* MOGADOR ROAD RACE 10K – ESSAOUIRA (April 2008)

* The 5^th International Spring Road Race of TEMARA (16^th March 2008)

* The 9^th International Marathon of LAYOUNE November 2008)

* The 2^nd international 10K road Race of the Ramparts of SALE (30^th March 2008)

* TANGIER 10k Road Race (June 2008)

* The 2^nd Mediterranean Half-Marathon – AL HOCEIMA – Morocco 

* AGADIR International Half Marathon

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information on any event above - Date, Race Entry, Accommodation, Transfers, Non-Runner (Accompanying persons) Programme, Excursions and other travel arrangements.