On Sunday, May 31, 2026, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan presided over the 17th edition of the Mohammed VI International Athletics Meeting held at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat. This prestigious event marks the third stage of the Diamond League circuit and stands out as a significant date on the calendar of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
The involvement of His Royal Highness in this sporting event, organized under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, reflects the unwavering commitment of the monarch to sports, which has become a fundamental lever for human development, social integration, and the empowerment of young generations. It symbolizes the high value that His Majesty places on athletics, often referred to as the mother of all sports, embodying the principles of perseverance, self-improvement, and fair competition. Furthermore, His Majesty consistently supports youth by ensuring they have optimal conditions for personal development, including modern infrastructure, high-quality technical training, structured educational programs, and opportunities for national and international competition, enabling them to represent the Kingdom with distinction.
Upon his arrival at the Olympic Stadium, His Royal Highness was greeted by a contingent of the Royal Guard, which rendered honors. He subsequently met with prominent figures including the Minister of National Education, Pre-School and Sports, Mr. Mohamed Saad Barada; the President of the Moroccan National Olympic Committee, Mr. Faisal Al Araichi; the Wali of the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra Region, Mr. Mohamed El Yaakoubi; the President of the Regional Council, Mr. Rashid Al-Abdi; the Mayor of Rabat, Ms. Fatima Al-Moudani; and the President of the Yaqub Al-Mansour District Council, Mr. Abdel Fattah Al-Aouni. Additionally, he was introduced to the President of the Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation, Mr. Abdel Salam Ahizoune, the Director of Diamond League competitions, Mr. Peter Stasny, and the director in charge of the technical platform for the Mohammed VI International Athletics Meeting, Mr. Jean-Pierre Watel.
Following these introductions, His Royal Highness took his place on the official platform, where he attended the national anthem and the release of balloons, signaling the commencement of this major international championship, which brings together the biggest names in the world of athletics and is broadcast live on 150 global channels. Throughout the event, His Royal Highness observed various competitions, witnessing the breaking of new records by participating athletes in several events.
The Mohammed VI International Athletics Meeting in Rabat, established on June 14, 2008, is a key component of the development plan for athletics endorsed by the Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation, in line with the royal directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. Each year, this prominent sporting event allows elite global athletes to discover the city of Rabat, which was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2012. It also contributes to enhancing Morocco’s international visibility, being the only African country to host one of the prestigious Diamond League stages, thereby reinforcing the enlightened royal vision aimed at establishing Rabat as the city of light and the Moroccan capital of culture.
With support from the International Association of Athletics Federations and the African Athletics Confederation, and the mobilization of partners from the Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation, this sporting event was included in the global challenge agenda of the IAAF from 2010 to 2015, eventually elevating to the Diamond League in 2016. The international athletics competitions of the Diamond League, scheduled from May 16 to September 5, 2026, consist of 15 meetings held in various cities including Shanghai, Xiamen (China), Rabat (Morocco), Rome (Italy), Stockholm (Sweden), Oslo (Norway), Doha (Qatar), Paris (France), Eugene (USA), Monaco, London (UK), Lausanne and Zurich (Switzerland), Chorzów/Silesia (Poland), and culminating in Brussels (Belgium) with the finals taking place on September 4 and 5.
As reported by maroc.ma.
