Moroccan Runner Siham Hilali Trains in France for Olympic 5,000m Debut

Moroccan international Siham Hilali, qualified for the Tokyo Olympics, aware of the challenge that awaits her during this competition, has quickly integrated into the RS10 training group. Her goal is clear and remains the active preparation to face the 5,000m at the Tokyo Olympics. "I was a 1,500m specialist until now and this time I’m trying my luck on 5,000m and maybe 10,000m," she confides.

While some doubt the athlete’s ability to achieve such a feat, this is not the case for her coach, who confides that the Moroccan "has the potential". He believes she could even run a marathon, or even a fifth participation in the Olympics. "I am happy to have joined Aziz in Romilly and my new group," continues Siham Hilali. I am especially happy to have been able to reconnect with the competition. Like many athletes, the wait has been very long," says L’Est éclair.

Siham Hilali is a talented athlete who, since 2003, has collected medals in various competitions both nationally and internationally. A finalist in Beijing in the 1,500m, Hilali has already partially succeeded the transition, as she achieved the Olympic minimum in the 5,000m last summer in 15:05.79. A record that will have to be beaten by a wide margin if she wants to make a place for herself within the winning trio. "We hope to find good events, and enough competition to run around 8’45"," explains the coach.

Aziz Chamali is convinced that Siham can dig deeper within herself to find the strength to pleasantly surprise. "She is a very professional, rigorous athlete. She lives 100% as an athlete, it is the secret of her longevity. It is an incredibly lucky chance to have an athlete of this dimension in Romilly. Her presence here reinforces the idea of bringing an international team to Paris-2024," specifies L’Est éclair.