17 March 1997 - Marrakech - This oasis, which welcomes many thousands of tourists every year, is being transformed into the capital of world athletics. On Saturday and Sunday, the world’s top long and middle distance runners will be competing in the 26^th IAAF World Cross Country Championships, which will include, for the first time in their history, 4 km short races for men and for women, in addition to the traditional 12km men’s race and 8km women’s event.

Marrakech is buzzing with anticipation. The Moroccans belong to the élite of distance running and have massive local support: tens of thousands of spectators are expected to line the course on Saturday and Sunday to watch their compatriots do battle with the world’s greatest. Their strongest competition will come from the formidable Kenyan team and, in the short race, from a strong Spanish line-up.

The Spanish were among the first to arrive in Marrakech today. In the team, Reyes Estevez - bronze medallist in the 1500m in Athens 97 and held to be one of the strongest young athletes - he is only 21 years old - in Europe. Europe, which dominated this event in year’s past may well be able to benefit from the short cross to regain some of the former glories. As well as Spain, Great Britain and Italy have strong teams for the event. And, from outside Europe, the USA’s Dan Browne and Marc Davis have their chances. Naturally, Kenya - whose attack will be lead by superman Daniel Komen - Morocco, Ethiopia, South Africa and Zimbabwe are likely to confirm the African continent’s supremacy.

The leading authorities of the IAAF have also arrived in Marrakech today, for one of the Council’s traditional meetings.

Dr Primo Nebiolo will preside the Council, which will discuss a number of important issues, including the creation of new guidelines for the selection of host countries for IAAF World Athletics Series events; the eventual changes to the IAAF Grand Prix regulations deriving from the introduction of the Golden League; the selection of the host for the first IAAF World Youth Games and the technical regulations for this major event, which will be held for the first time next year. Council will also hear the reports of the Medical and Doping Commissions.

On Friday, at 11.30am local time, the IAAF President will give a press conference in the Congress Centre of the Hotel Pullman Mansour Eddhari, which will focus on two major IAAF initiatives: the introduction of the Golden League and the Year of Women in Athletics.

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