Ilias Fifa

Ilias Fifa (born 16 May 1989) is a long-distance runner. Born in Morocco, he competes internationally for Spain. He gained Spanish citizenship in July 2015^[1] after entering Spain nine years earlier by hiding under a truck crossing the border.^[2]

Ilias Fifa

Fifa in 2016
Personal information
Born	(1989-05-16) 16 May 1989 (age 36) Tangier, Morocco[1]
Sport
Country	Spain
Sport	Track and field
Event	5000 metres
Club	F.C. Barcelona
Coached by	Rafael Caro
Medal record Men's athletics Representing Spain European Championships 2016 Amsterdam 5000 m

Career

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

He participated in the 5000 metres at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing but with a time of 13:28.29 he did not reach the final.^[3] He qualified for the 5000 m event at the 2016 Summer Olympics, where he finished in a non-qualifying 9th place in his heat.^[4]

International competitions

Year	Competition	Venue	Position	Event	Notes
Representing  Spain
2015	World Championships	Beijing, China	13th (h)	5000 m	13:28.29
2016	European Championships	Amsterdam, Netherlands	1st	5000 m	13:40.85
	Olympic Games	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil	23rd (h)	5000 m	13:30.23
2017	World Championships	London, United Kingdom	34th (h)	5000 m	13:47.90
2023	European 10,000m Cup	Pacé, France	3rd	10,000 m	28:12.62
2024	Ibero-American Championships	Cuiabá, Brazil	1st	10 km	29:41
	European Championships	Rome, Italy	8th	10,000 m	28:10.97
2025	European Running Championships	Leuven, Belgium	13th	10 km	28:32

Personal bests

Outdoor

• 3000 metres – 7:49.13 (Barcelona 2014)
• 5000 metres – 13:05.61 (Rome 2015)