The Moroccan government is reported to have provided additional grants for athletes as well as the provision of permanent centers for training in Rabat and Casablanca. The presence of a special center which specializes in the training of various Olympic sports has also helping to garner the needed experience for the games.
Boxing, Tae Kwon Do, swimming and weightlifting, are among the seven disciplines Morocco will be taking part in at the 2008 Beijing Olympic games.
The Moroccan Athletic team will be headed by Olympic champions Hasna Benhassi (30), Jawad Gharib (36) and Abderahim Ghomri (32) as well as young promising athletes such as Abdel Atti Akidr (21), Mohammad Mstaoui (23) and Mary Upper Alselsouli (24) a gold medal hope in the women’s 5000 meter race.
According to the Moroccan press, “the heirs of Said Aouita and Nawal Al Moutawakil are intensely preparing to honor the kingdom of Morocco at the Olympic Games, while Moroccan nationals who expect no less than gold and silver from their representatives prepare to cheer to the very last minute”.
