Nigeria’s Blessing Okagbare has been confirmed as one of the big names expected to compete at the Meeting International Mohammed VI in Rabat, Morocco as the IAAF Diamond League extends to the African continent on May 22, 2016.
The meeting, which was hitherto an annual event, is in its 9th edition this year and has been included in the Diamond League series, replacing the New York leg of the Diamond League.
The African Record holder will be engaged in a battle of superiority with her Jamaican opponent, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in the women’s 100m event taking place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. USA’s Carmelita Jeter and Jamaica’s Kerron Stewart will also be a part of the field.
Okagbare will be seeking to dominate and make history on her home continent as she makes her debut at the meeting which follows the Doha (May 6) and Shanghai (May 14) legs of the Diamond League.
Other African athletes expected to compete in Rabat are Ethiopia’s Mohammed Aman, Nijel Amos of Botswana, and Algeria’s Taoufik Makhloufi who will all compete in the men’s 800m.
London 2012 Bronze medallist in the men’s 1500m and homeboy, Abdalaati Iguider will certainly enjoy the backing of the Moroccan crowd, although he would be competing in the 3000m.
According to the Head of the Local Organizing Committee, Abdeslam Ahizoune, a total of 190 athletes representing 49 countries will participate in the competition.
