The Moroccan Training System: The Training of Hicham El Guerrouj
By Marco Veledíaz, Mexico City
The Structure of the Moroccan Athletics Federation
To understand Morocco’s success, it is essential to analyze the Moroccan Athletics Federation. This organization is divided into three primary departments, or “directions,” which work together to guide athletes from talent discovery to elite-level performance.
1. Talent Spotting Direction
First and foremost, the journey begins with identifying promising athletes.
Process:
A travelling caravan system evaluates youth aged 12–16 through three specific tests:
- Short sprint (low start).
- Middle-distance race.
- Standing long jump.
These tests are designed to assess reaction speed, endurance, and explosive strength.
Next Steps:
After excelling in these initial tests, athletes undergo rigorous medical evaluations, including treadmill tests and blood analyses. Subsequently, those who show promise are sent to Preparation Local Units, where they receive foundational training focused on multilateral development.
Infrastructure:
Furthermore, these units, supported by government funding and phosphate industry sponsorships, offer modern facilities and expert coaching to nurture young athletes.
2. Youngsters Technical Direction
Once athletes demonstrate potential, they progress to the next phase, which focuses on advanced skill refinement.
Development Phase:
During this stage, athletes train in Perfecting Local Units or Training Development Centers. These centers house approximately 60 athletes aged 16–19. However, selection becomes increasingly competitive and is based on advanced physiological and biomechanical assessments.
Advanced Training:
Eventually, the most talented individuals move to the National Institute of Athletics in Ifrane. Here, they benefit from advanced training programs, comprehensive diet plans, and performance analysis based on biomechanics.
3. National Technical Direction
Finally, athletes who excel at previous levels transition to full-time training, where they prepare for national and international competitions.
Full-Time Training:
At this stage, athletes train exclusively at the National Institute of Athletics, receiving housing, food, and financial support from the government and King Hassan II.
Dedication:
Although resources are modest, the emphasis is on cultivating discipline and extraordinary commitment among athletes. As a result, the system consistently produces world-class performers.
Key Principles of Moroccan Training
After understanding the structure of the Federation, it becomes crucial to explore the principles that guide Moroccan training. These principles serve as the foundation for consistent success.
Maximal Effort Principle
To begin with, Moroccan athletes train at intensities designed to reflect the demands of modern competition. Consequently, they develop the resilience necessary to excel on the world stage.
Individualization Principle
Moreover, each athlete’s training program is personalized. For example, scientific data was used to adjust Khalid Skah’s biomechanics, significantly improving his running efficiency. Similarly, Salah Hissou’s training emphasized endurance, allowing him to achieve remarkable results.
Systematic Principle
While athletes often train in groups, each individual follows a tailored plan. For instance, one athlete might focus on long continuous runs, while another emphasizes short, high-intensity sessions.
Multilateral Development Principle
Additionally, due to the lack of comprehensive physical education in schools, young athletes receive broad physical training to establish a foundation before specializing.
Conscious Preparation Principle
Lastly, athletes are educated about their programs. By doing so, the system fosters trust and ensures they fully understand the rationale behind their training plans.
Training Organization
Seasonal Preparation
The Moroccan training calendar is meticulously divided into distinct phases, each serving a specific purpose. For example, the 1996–1997 season consisted of the following five stages:
Preparatory Period (Oct 15–May 15):
Initially, this phase focused on building aerobic endurance, strength, and general athletic development.
Competition Preparation (May 11–30):
Next, the focus shifted to race pace and specific speed work.
First Competition Phase (May 31–June 10):
During this stage, athletes participated in their first races of the season to assess their progress.
Second Preparation Phase (June 11–30):
Then, training emphasized speed endurance and race-specific drills to ensure athletes were fully prepared.
Second Competition Period (July–August):
Finally, athletes competed during the peak of the season to showcase their hard work and preparation.
Altitude Training
Moreover, the strategic use of altitude plays a pivotal role in the Moroccan system. Athletes alternate between training at sea level in Rabat and at high altitude in Ifrane (1,650m). Ifrane’s natural terrain—including forest trails, dry lakebeds, and park loops—provides ideal conditions for endurance and strength development.
Specialized Training Groups
In addition to these strategies, athletes are grouped by discipline, with each group led by an elite athlete and coach. For instance:
- Hicham El Guerrouj Group (1500m).
- Khalid Skah Group (10,000m).
- Steeplechase Group.
Each group consists of 8–10 athletes, fostering teamwork, mentorship, and a sense of community.
El Guerrourouj World Mile Record
Hicham El Guerrouj’s Training
Hicham El Guerrouj, the world-record holder for 1500m, exemplifies the Moroccan training system. His program incorporates several key elements:
- Aerobic Endurance
- Continuous runs lasting 30–60 minutes at varied paces.
- Interval sessions such as 4x2000m in 5:10 or 6x1000m in 2:30 with 2-minute recoveries.
- Strength Work
- Half-squats, lunges, and machine workouts to ensure balanced muscle development.
- Power Training
- Weekly hill sprints and plyometric exercises to build explosive strength.
- Race-Pace Training
- Intervals simulating race conditions, often with “rabbits” pacing the runs.
Results
As a result of his disciplined training, El Guerrouj achieved extraordinary results. For example, in 1997, he:
- Finished the Zurich race in 3:28.91.
- Won the Athens World Championships with a time of 3:35.83.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Morocco’s dominance in middle- and long-distance running is no accident. Rather, it is the result of a carefully designed system that combines scientific research, personalized training, and a culture of dedication. Therefore, for nations aspiring to replicate this success, Morocco’s model offers invaluable lessons and inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the 1500m world record?
Hicham El Guerrouj holds the record at 3:26.00. - Why is the 1500m more prominent than the Mile?
The 1500m is an official Olympic distance, making it more prestigious than the 1600m. - What is Hicham El Guerrouj’s height?
He is 176 cm tall.
References
- El País, Spanish newspaper, August 1997.
- El País Semanal, December 1998.
- Cuadernos de Atletismo (No. 36), Real Federación Española de Atletismo.
- Personal interviews with Said Aouita (1987–1988) and Khalid Skah (1994).
- Jon Wild (UK), email correspondence, April 29, 1999.