Moroccan-Born Spanish Athlete Triumphs in Greece’s Mount Olympus Marathon

The 35-year-old athlete of Moroccan origin represented Spain in this sporting event, after receiving Spanish nationality in November 2018, by royal decree. He had illegally entered the Iberian territory, hiding under a truck. His sporting performances in long-distance races have earned him recognition at the national and international levels.

Arrived in Almeria, the Moroccan managed to find his place in Spanish society, with the help of friends and especially the efforts made during the 12 years spent in this town in southern Spain.

The Moroccan marathon runner worked in the olive fields and had to renew his residence permit several times before being naturalized, by decision of the Council of Ministers in Madrid. He had met all the legal conditions necessary to obtain nationality.