Morocco World News
Morocco World News
New York, August 10, 2012
Astonishment and shock have taken Moroccan fans watching the 2012 London Olympic Games. While all other athletes have their country’s name featured on their jerseys, Moroccan athletes appeared with jerseys devoid of their country’s name.
Sports fans who remained glued to TV screams during all sport activities of these games leveled their criticism against the Moroccan Olympic Committee, as well as the Moroccan Federation of Track and Field for this glaring and reprehensible mistake.
“This is a huge mistake. It is disappointing to see that Morocco is the only exception of the rule,” a Moroccan sports fan told MWN. “This shows the amateurish and incompetent manner in which officials deal with international competitions; they have to be held responsible,” he added.
“It is simply a lack of responsibility and professionalism from the Track and Field Federation,” said Reda Benazzouz, a student at the University of Ottawa and Canadian junior champion in the 400m relay and bronze medalist in the 800m. “I was watching the 3000m steeple chase and couldn’t retrieve the Moroccan runner among competitors; I had to wait for the final results to see what rank he had,” he added.
Moroccans labeled the participation of Morocco in the ongoing games as the session of “Golden scandals.”
Mariem Alaoui Selsouli, one of the favorites for the 1500m gold medal, was banned from participating, following her positive dope test.
Marathon runner Abderrahim Goumri was also suspended on the same grounds.
Amine Laalou, the Olympic hopeful for the 1500m also missed the games after the IAAF alerted the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that he tested positive to a banned substance.
It remains to be seen whether the officials at the helm of the Moroccan Olympic Committee as well as the Track and Field Federation will take responsibility for this disappointing participation as well as for damaging Morocco’s reputation.
