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 marked the third stop of the Diamond League circuit and is recognized as a significant occasion on the agenda of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
The presence of His Royal Highness at this sporting event, organized under the esteemed patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, exemplifies the unwavering commitment of the Moroccan monarchy to sports, which has become a fundamental pillar for human development, social integration, and youth empowerment. It emphasizes the essential role that athletics, regarded as the mother of sports, plays in fostering values of perseverance, personal development, and fair competition.
Upon his arrival at the Olympic Stadium, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan was greeted by a formation of the Royal Guard, followed by a cordial reception with several dignitaries including the Minister of National Education, Preschool and Sports, Mr. Mohamed Saad Berrada, the President of the Moroccan National Olympic Committee, Mr. Faisal Araiichi, and the Wali of the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region, Mr. Mohamed El Yaacoubi. Additional notable attendees included the President of the Regional Council, Mr. Rashid Al Abdi, the Mayor of Rabat, Ms. Fatiha Al Moudni, and the President of the Yacoub Al Mansour District Council, Mr. Abdel Fattah Al Aouni.
Moreover, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan extended his greetings to Mr. Abdel Salam Ahizoune, President of the Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation, Mr. Peter Stasny, Diamond League Competition Director, and Mr. Jean-Pierre Watel, Director of the Technical Platform for the Mohammed VI International Athletics Meeting.
Following these formalities, the Crown Prince took his place on the official platform, where he attended the playing of the national anthem and the release of balloons, signaling the commencement of this major international competition that features some of the most prominent names in the athletics world, broadcast live across 150 global channels.
During the event, His Royal Highness closely followed various competitions and witnessed several record-breaking performances by participating athletes, further solidifying the significance of the Mohammed VI International Athletics Meeting, which was established on June 14, 2008, as a cornerstone of the development strategy for athletics endorsed by the Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation in accordance with the high directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
This prominent annual sporting event allows elite international athletes to discover the city of Rabat, which was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2012. Additionally, it enhances Morocco's international visibility as the only African nation hosting a Diamond League event, thereby reinforcing the enlightened royal vision aimed at establishing Rabat as the City of Lights and the Moroccan capital of culture.
With the support of the IAAF and the African Athletics Confederation, and by mobilizing partners of the Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation, this event was included in the IAAF World Challenge agenda from 2010 to 2015, subsequently advancing to become part of the Diamond League in 2016.
The international athletics competitions of the Diamond League, taking place from May 16 to September 5, 2026, comprise 15 meetings held in locations including Shanghai/Kiqiao and Xiamen (China), Rabat (Morocco), Rome (Italy), Stockholm (Sweden), Oslo (Norway), Doha (Qatar), Paris (France), Eugene (USA), Monaco (Monaco), London (UK), Lausanne and Zurich (Switzerland), Chorzów/Silesia (Poland), and concluding in Brussels (Belgium) with the finals scheduled for September 4 and 5.
As reported by maroc.ma.
