Spanish Running Record Broken by Moroccan-Born Athlete, Sparks Controversy

After the records in the 5,000 and 1,500 meters, Mohamed Katir has held the record in the 3,000 meters since Tuesday, with a time of 7:27.64. He thus beats the record of Isaac Viciosa obtained in July 1998 with a time of 7:29.34. In an interview with the ’Soy Corredor’ website, Viciosa criticized this new performance by the athlete of Moroccan origin. "I think that with my 50 years, he can allow me the luxury of being critical. It may not be politically correct, but I would have preferred an athlete with Castilian surnames to beat it. For the moment, he is an athlete that I put under observation for a few more months so that he confirms his performances at the Olympic Games," he said.

To read: Mohamed Katir Shatters Two Spanish Distance Running Records in One Week

For Viciosa, Katir’s national records in the 1,500, 3,000 and 5,000 meters are not enough to make him an exceptional athlete. "These are fantastic records, but if he doesn’t do something bigger at the Olympic Games, it would be nothing and it would be shocking," he added. As for Mohamed Katir, he is preparing to break a new record in the 5,000 meters at the next Olympic Games in Tokyo, which will begin on July 23.