2024 Olympics: Lessons from a Moroccan fiasco!

HIBAPRESS-RABAT-HY

Since the first Olympic Games were held in 1896, each edition was an opportunity for participants to shine, triumph and set their sporting successes in stone. In the event of failure, athletes and federations questioned themselves and looked for a grain of sand, to return the next edition under better auspices.

If in Morocco, the lack of means to prepare our champions for the Olympic Games was often pointed out, from 2009, major initiatives flourished to remedy the problem, as evidenced by the 330 Million Dirhams (MDH) allocated to the Moroccan Sports Federations.

Thus was created the High Level Champions Sports Commission which managed this financial windfall alongside the supervisory ministry and the Moroccan National Olympic Committee (CNOM). Since then, exorbitant sums have been granted for the preparation of the London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020 and now Paris 2024 Olympic Games, but the results remain below expectations, or even disastrous!

At the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad of the modern era, the Moroccans did not make a good showing, to the great disappointment of the public who, as usual, turned out in large numbers to support the national athletes. Now, all hopes are placed in athletics and football, with Lion Cubs who wet their jerseys to honor their country.

But after the end of the Olympic Games, a RetEx is necessary. It is time for the public authorities to react to this unflattering situation, because Morocco is full of talent and human potential.

It is time to cut off the road to “extraterrestrial” leaders who invade some federations for “extra-sporting” reasons. It is also time to introduce administrative and financial management systems that are in tune with the times to establish a fair and sustainable sports ecosystem, capable of standing up to tough international competition.