Power champions set a date in Rabat.

The Secretary General of the Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation, Mohamed Ghazlan, confirmed today, Saturday, that the most prominent Olympic and international champions will meet in Rabat on the occasion of the 17th edition of the Mohammed VI International Athletics Meeting, the third stop on the prestigious Diamond League calendar for the year 2026, scheduled to take place tomorrow, Sunday, at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.

Ghazlan explained during a press conference held in Rabat to present the event that this stop will host the elite of athletics on a global scale, including Olympic and world title holders, adding that these stars have set a date to shine once again in Rabat, which has been enhanced by a new sports facility that meets the highest international standards.

He continued that the participation of these world-renowned champions promises intense competition and a distinguished sports display for the Moroccan audience, who will flock in large numbers to the Olympic Stadium to attend this grand global sports celebration, which brings together 40 countries representing all continents.

He pointed out that this edition, like previous ones, will meet expectations in terms of achieving new record numbers, whether for the meeting itself, for Diamond League meetings, or even world record numbers, affirming that the Mohammed VI International Meeting aims for excellence, radiance, and the development of global athletics.

For his part, Olympic and world champion, Moroccan Soufiane El Bakkali, stated that the Mohammed VI International Athletics Meeting is currently receiving great attention and has gained international prominence, adding that the best athletes on the global stage are now choosing to participate in this prestigious sports event.

Regarding the preparations for the meeting, El Bakkali clarified that they took place under excellent conditions, expressing his happiness to kick off his sports season at the Mohammed VI International Athletics Meeting in Rabat.

He also expressed his hope to be at the level of the event and deliver an outstanding performance, noting that his goal is to get closer to the world record or break his personal best.

The list of the most prominent stars participating in this edition includes, in particular, Kenyan Emmanuel Wanyonyi, the Olympic champion in the 800 meters, American Quincy Hall, the world champion and Olympic gold medalist in the 400 meters, American Ryan Crouser, the Olympic and world champion in shot put, and British Matt Hudson-Smith, the world championship runner-up in the 400 meters.

For the women, this edition of the Mohammed VI International Athletics Meeting will witness the participation of Ukrainian Yaroslava Mahuchikh, the world record holder in high jump, American Katie Moon, the Olympic champion in pole vault, Botswana's Letsile Tebogo, Bahamian Shauna Miller-Uibo, the double Olympic and world champion in the 400 meters, and Jamaican Shericka Jackson, multiple world champion in the sprints (100 meters and 200 meters).