Mohammed VI Meeting: the world’s athletics elite gathers in Rabat

The biggest names in global athletics will gather in Rabat for the 17th edition of the Mohammed VI International Meeting, the third leg of the 2026 Diamond League, to be held on Sunday at the Olympic Stadium. This was confirmed on Saturday by the Secretary General of the Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation (FRMA), Mohamed Ghozlane.

Speaking at a press conference held in the capital to present this new edition, Mr Ghozlane emphasised that the competition will bring together a host of Olympic and world champions. According to him, Rabat has now become a must-visit destination for the biggest stars in athletics, particularly as it now boasts sports infrastructure meeting the highest international standards.

The FRMA official also highlighted the exceptional quality of the field, noting that the presence of numerous world-renowned champions promises highly competitive events. He added that a large Moroccan audience is expected to attend this event, which will bring together athletes from 40 countries representing all continents.

Mohamed Ghozlane also expressed optimism regarding the expected level of performance at this edition. In his view, the meeting has every chance of being marked by new records, whether in terms of meeting best performances, Diamond League records, or even world records. He recalled that the Mohammed VI Meeting continues to pursue ambitions of excellence, international visibility, and contribution to the development of global athletics.

Also present at the press conference, double Olympic and world champion Soufiane El Bakkali welcomed the growing prominence of the competition, which is now gaining increasing international recognition. “The world’s best athletes now choose the Mohammed VI Meeting to start or continue their season,” he noted.

Speaking about his own preparation, El Bakkali stated that it had taken place under excellent conditions. He also expressed his happiness at starting his season in Rabat in front of the Moroccan public.

The Moroccan champion also outlined his ambitions for this edition, stating that he aims to deliver a high-level performance and continue edging closer to the world record, or even improve his personal best.

Among the headline athletes of this 17th edition are Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Olympic 800m champion; American Quincy Hall, world champion and Olympic gold medallist in the 400m; American Ryan Crouser, Olympic and world champion in shot put; and Britain’s Matt Hudson-Smith, world 400m silver medallist.

In the women’s events, Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh, world record holder in the high jump; American Katie Moon, Olympic pole vault champion; Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo; Bahamian Shaunae Miller-Uibo, double Olympic and world 400m champion; and Jamaica’s Shericka Jackson, multiple world champion in sprint events (100m and 200m), will also compete in this edition of the Mohammed VI International Athletics Meeting.

In addition to Soufiane El Bakkali, several Moroccan athletes will be in action, including Souad Elhaddad (800m), Mohamed Yassine Zerhoumi (400m), Yassine Hssine (200m), Anass Essayi and Fouad Messaoudi (1500m), Imad Bouchajda and Abdelati El Guesse (800m), as well as Salah Eddine Ben Yazide, Abderrafia Bouassel, Faid El Mostafa, and Mohamed Tindouft (3000m steeplechase).