Ilias Fifa (born 16 May 1989) is a Moroccan-born

long-distance runner Long-distance running, or endurance running, is a form of continuous running over distances of at least . Physiologically, it is largely Aerobic exercise, aerobic in nature and requires endurance, stamina as well as mental strength. Within e ...

competing internationally for

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

. He gained Spanish citizenship in July 2015 after entering Spain nine years earlier by hiding under a truck crossing the border.

Career

He won the 2016 European Championship 5000 metres, in one of the closest long distance finishes ever. He participated in the

5000 metres The 5000 metres or 5000-metre run is a common long-distance running event in track and field, approximately equivalent to or . It is one of the track events in the Olympic Games and the World Championships in Athletics, run over laps of a stan ...

at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing but with a time of 13:28.29 he did not reach the final. He qualified for the 5000 m event at the

2016 Summer Olympics The 2016 Summer Olympics ( pt, Jogos Olímpicos de Verão de 2016), officially the Games of the XXXI Olympiad ( pt, Jogos da XXXI Olimpíada) and also known as Rio 2016, was an international multi-sport event held from 5 to 21 August 20 ...

, where he finished in a non-qualifying 9th place in his heat.

International competitions

Personal bests

Outdoor *

3000 metres The 3000 metres or 3000-metre run is a track running event, also commonly known as the "3K" or "3K run", where 7.5 laps are run around an outdoor 400 m track, or 15 laps around a 200 m indoor track. It is debated whether the 3000m shoul ...

– 7:49.13 (Barcelona 2014) *

– 13:05.61 (Rome 2015)

References

External links

1989 births Living people Spanish male long-distance runners People from Tangier World Athletics Championships athletes for Spain Spanish sportspeople of Moroccan descent Athletes (track and field) at the 2016 Summer Olympics Olympic athletes for Spain European Athletics Championships medalists {{Spain-athletics-bio-stub