IAAF STATES ITS POSITION ON THE ISRAEL CASE
AT THE WORLD CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
In a press release issue on March 23, the IAAF stated its position with regard to the absence of an Israeli team from the IAAF World Cross Country Championships …
"At the conclusion of the competitions in the 26th IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Marrakech, Morocco, the IAAF observed a fine success of the event in terms of organisation, enthusiastic attendance and outstanding performances.
The IAAF, however. Could not help but express its deep regret at the absence of the Israeli delegation which casts a shadow over these Championships.
The decision by the local authorities to prohibit the Israeli team from entering Morocco contravenes the IAAF’s fundamental principles and objectives in the organisation of international athletics around the world. These principles require that all athletes must be allowed to compete regardless of race, religion, ideology or country of origin.
The IAAF also wishes to point out that such action is contrary to written guarantees provided by the Moroccan Government at the time of Marrakech’s candidatures for the World Championships in December 1996."