Moroccan athletes Ines Laklalech, a golfer, and Yassine Rahmouni, an equestrian, have been selected by the Moroccan National Olympic Committee (CNOM) to carry the Moroccan flag during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics in Paris, scheduled for Friday.
The decision promotes gender balance according to the guidelines of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Moroccan National Olympic Committee (CNOM) announced on Thursday.
The opening ceremony differs from the traditional stadium setting to a unique 6-kilometer float parade along the Seine River. An estimated 360,000 spectators are expected to attend the event, which will feature approximately 90 floats carrying athletes, delegations, artists, and officials.
French-Moroccan Author Leïla Slimani contributed to the opening script, and French theater Director Thomas Jolly directed the event which will mark the opening of the games.
Morocco is well-positioned to leave a notable impression at the summer games, with a delegation of 60 athletes competing across 19 disciplines from July 26 to August 11.
The list of qualified athletes includes several prominent Moroccans who have participated in numerous international events. This year’s Olympic team includes 42 men and 18 women, making it the second largest in the country’s history after the 72 athletes who participated in the London Olympics in 2012.