Spanish-Moroccan Runner Mohamed Katir Wins Bronze in World 1,500m Final

Mohamed Katir is the fourth Spanish athlete and the first of African (Moroccan) origin to win a medal at the World Athletics Championships. A performance he is particularly proud of. "I am very happy and proud. I hope Spain and the Spanish people are too because this is just the beginning," he said after winning the bronze medal in this competition.

The athlete of Moroccan origin has always claimed his Spanish nationality, which he actually obtained after a real struggle. "I feel 100% Spanish. I grew up and studied here, I have spent my whole life here, my athletic career has been forged here. I want to compete as a Spaniard and only as a Spaniard," he insisted before participating in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Of Moroccan father and Egyptian mother, Katir arrived in Spain in 1993 at the age of 5. His parents and he first lived in Huesca before settling permanently in Mula (Murcia). It is in this city that Katir started his career at the UCAM Cartagena athletics club. For several years, he won races without winning medals because he did not yet have Spanish nationality.

Mohamed Katir only obtained Spanish nationality in November 2019. Before that year, he had to win the Spanish indoor 3,000m championship, but did not receive a medal due to his status as a foreigner. Last year, he broke all national records as a Spaniard. In the space of two months, he became the Spanish number one in the 1,500, 3,000 and 5,000 meters.