The fifteen Moroccan athletes who have arrived in Beijing to take part in the Olympic games are determined to succeed to in this international sports meeting, technical advisor of Moroccan Olympic team Mustapha Aouchar said on Monday.
"Our athletes, who arrived in the Chinese capital since late July, are training in appropriate conditions, and are on high spirits, especially that all conditions are met both in terms of accommodation and training fields, which are of a high quality, local MAP agency quoted Aouchar as saying.
Another 11 athletes are expected in Beijing as of next Thursday, while the marathon team is due to arrive on August 17, he said.
Aouchar deplored the absence of 800 meter athletes, sisters Mina and Soltana Ait Hammou because of an IOC one-year ban decision for missing three out-of-competition anti-doping tests.
Athletes should avoid such mistakes, and be wary of the risks of this kind of behavior on their sports careers, he warned, noting that anti-doping laws have become more repressive than ever.
Morocco's 26-member strong athletics team to Beijing is led by Olympic silver winner in 800 meters, Hasna Benhassi, and world's twice marathon champion, Jawad Gharib.
The north African country, which has been participating in the Olympic games since 1960, is also pinning great hopes on young competitors like Abdelati Iguider, Mohamed Moustaoui and Meriem Alaoui Selsouli.
(Xinhua News Agency August 12, 2008)