Around 150 world athletes in Casablanca first international meeting

Some 150 international athletes, including 65 women, will participate in the 14-discipline first athletics meeting of Casablanca, to kick off this Tuesday at the Mohammed V Stadium of Casablanca.

The athletes represent 26 countries, including Algeria, Britain, Canada, Kenya, the USA, Germany, Italy, Ethiopia, France, Nigeria, Jamaica and Russia.

Morocco's most distinguished athletes, namely Hicham EL-Guerrouj (world 1500 m and mile recordman), Nezha Bidouane (world women's 400 m hurdles champion) and Salah Hissou will not participate in the Moroccan meeting. The three athletes preferred to concentrate on preparing for the world outdoor championships, due next August in Sevilla, Spain.

The meeting is organized by former world field and track legend Said Aouita.