Crown Prince's Role in Promoting Sports and Youth Development
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 is recognized as the third leg of the Diamond League circuit and holds a significant place on the agenda of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). The Crown Prince’s presence at this athletic gathering, organized under the distinguished patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, reflects the unwavering commitment of the monarch to promote sports as a vital catalyst for human development, social integration, and the empowerment of younger generations.
The event underscores the importance that His Majesty places on athletics, known as the mother of all sports, which embodies values such as perseverance, self-improvement, and fair competition. Furthermore, it highlights the special attention the King has given to youth by ensuring they have optimal conditions for personal development, including modern infrastructure, high-quality technical support, structured training programs, and opportunities for competition at both national and international levels. This commitment enables young athletes to represent the Kingdom with excellence on the global stage.
Highlights of the Mohammed VI International Athletics Meeting
Upon arriving at the Olympic Stadium, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan was greeted by a detachment of the Royal Guard, followed by a warm reception from key figures, including the Minister of National Education, Preschool, and Sports, Mr. Mohamed Saad Barada, the President of the Moroccan Olympic Committee, Mr. Faisal El Araichi, and other notable officials. He also exchanged pleasantries with the President of the Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation, Mr. Abdel Salam Ahizoune, and the Director of the Diamond League events, Mr. Peter Stasny, among others.
After the formalities, the Crown Prince took his seat on the official platform, where he attended the national anthem performance and the release of balloons, signaling the commencement of this grand international championship that features some of the most renowned names in athletics and is broadcast live on 150 global channels. Throughout the event, Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan closely followed the various competitions, witnessing several new records being set by participating athletes, thereby adding to the prestigious legacy of the meeting.
Initiated on June 14, 2008, the Mohammed VI International Athletics Meeting is a cornerstone of the athletics development plan established by the Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation, in line with the royal directives of King Mohammed VI. Each year, this remarkable event allows top-level 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 profile as the only African country to host a prestigious Diamond League event, aligning with the King’s enlightened vision to establish Rabat as the City of Lights, the cultural capital of Morocco.
Supported by the International Association of Athletics Federations, the African Athletics Confederation, and the mobilization of partners from the Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation, this sporting event was included in the IAAF's global challenge agenda from 2010 to 2015, and subsequently elevated to the Diamond League in 2016. The Diamond League consists of 15 meetings held from May 16 to September 5, 2026, in cities including Shanghai, Xiamen, Rabat, Rome, Stockholm, Oslo, Doha, Paris, Eugene, Monaco, London, Lausanne, Zurich, Chorzów, and Brussels, where the finals will take place on September 4 and 5.
As reported by maroc.ma.
