Mr. Lamine Diack is very happy with the choice of Marrakech to host the World Youth Championships 2005. He said that the participating young athletes are very lucky in the sense that they haven’t come to Marrakech only for an athletic mission but they are also supposed to discover the Moroccan cultural diversity in the universally known touristic city, Marrakech.
Introducing athletics in a universal competition at an early age
Lamine Diack stressed on the importance of introducing athletics at an early age. “The young athletes are very lucky with this kind of athletic events. The IAAF World Youth Championships 2004 is a good opportunity for them to develop their seasonal bests, to consult senior world and Olympic champions, and to even break world records” said Lamine Diack.
What they said
The journalists:
Most of the questions were about the choice of Marrakech to host the fourth IAAF World Youth Championships edition, and the importance of sport to unite nations. Mr. Lamine Diack went on defending the choice of Marrakech. As for the importance of sports, “ competition like this one should make the world tour so that peace and cultural exchange could survive. We live in a troubled world. Due to sports, nations get united” said Lamine Diack.
The athletes :
Five prominent national athletes have attended the press conference.
The Moroccan semi finalist in the 3rd edition ( Sherbrook, USA) and national record holder; Halima Hachlaf is ready to hold the Moroccan flag high.
“ I am proud of my brother Abdelkader Hachlaf, a previous national champion. He has been my first coach. Nawal El Moutawakil, Nezha Bidouane, Hicham El Guerrouj are all an ideal example to follow.”
The Moroccan 2000m steeplechase runner Abd Elghani Ait Bahmmad highlighted the importance of athletics in Morocco. He went on talking proudly about Hicham El Guerrouj, world and Olympic champion.
The American 400m hurdles Ebony Collins is ready do her best. She seems she will speak more on the track.
The German gold medallist (2003) pole vaulter Elisaveta Ryzih is ready to defend her title. “ I will work as hard as possible. The most important to do, however, is to do your best not to reach the podium” said Elisaveta.
The Greek pole vaulter Ekatirini Stefanidi: “school’s time is over and I am ready for the competition. I believe in myself”
