17/1/2023–|Last updated: 1/17/202306:55 PM (Makkah)
The Moroccan child, Ahmed Rayan, 11, was surprised that his shoes were torn during a rural competition in the suburb of Tamesna, near the capital, Rabat, so he insisted on completing the race by placing cardboard and plastic tape on his feet to win third place.
The story of the hero Ryan, who lives in the Yacoub Al-Mansur neighborhood in the capital, Rabat, has spread widely in Morocco and has been circulated by activists on communication platforms, and many local media have interviewed him.
Ryan Roy his story He said, “I started the race in regular shoes before it broke off, but I refused to withdraw and quickly thought of the alternative. I put cardboard pieces on my feet and put on socks, then I wrapped that with plastic, and I quickly returned to the racetrack and completed the run and won – thank God – the third place.”
And Moroccan websites published that the Olympic runner, Sufyan Al-Baqali, published a picture of the child, Hamada, through his Instagram account, and asked his followers for any means that would enable him to communicate with him or his family.
Activist and trade unionist Abd al-Wahhab al-Suhaimi considered the child, Rayan, “a project for a sports hero that needs sponsorship from sports institutions in Morocco, so that in the future he can raise the Moroccan flag in the international arenas and follow the path of the greats in the sport of athletics, such as Saeed Aouita, Hisham El Guerrouj and Sofiane El Bakkali.”
The National Cross Country Championship was held, in which Ryan carried No. 1706, aSunday, January 15, and was organized by the Royal Moroccan University for Athletics, in coordination with the Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer Athletics League, in Al-Mafafa, located in the treasure neighborhood in the city of Tamesna.
Morocco and athletics… a distinguished history
Morocco was known for its distinction in athletics throughout history, and among its most prominent heroes are Saeed Aouita, Nawal Al-Mutawakel, Khaled Al-Sakah, Hisham El-Krouj, Nouzha Bidwan, Khaled Boulamy, Ibrahim Boutayeb, Salah Hiso and others.
Morocco won 31 medals, including 11 gold, 12 silver and 8 bronze medals, won by 14 male and female runners, in its participation in 18 editions of the World Athletics Championships.
Since the first tournament held in 1983 in Helsinki, Morocco has not missed the podium except in 4 tournaments, namely Stuttgart 1993, Berlin 2009, Daegu 2011 and Moscow 2013.
Source : Al Jazeera + Sanad Agency + Moroccan press