Bakir Ben Aissa

Bakir Ben Aissa took up track athletes after World War II and was originally a member of the French national team. He earned his first national title in the 10,000 metres in 1955 and was runner-up in that event in 1954, 1957, and 1958. He also won a cross-country title in 1957 and then took gold in the 10,000 metres and silver in the 5,000 metres at the 1957 Pan-Arab Games. He pondered retaining French nationality after Morocco’s 1956 independence, but ultimately decided to join the Moroccan national team in 1959. His first major international medal for that country came the same year, when he won the marathon at the 1959 Mediterranean Games.

Ben Aissa went on to defend his Mediterranean title in 1963, and also took part in two editions of the Olympic marathon, placing eighth and twelfth at the 1960 and 1964 Games respectively. Given his army career, he was also successful at numerous military championships and he received the Order of Ouissam Alaouite in 1965. He retired from active competition in 1968.

Personal Best: Mar – 2-21:22 (1960).