Why is Morocco abbreviated MAR at the 2024 Paris Olympics?

3 months ago 3

That's not a typo on the Olympics broadcast, Morocco's abbreviation is 'MAR' and it has left some fans confused. Here's the explanation.

WASHINGTON — Viewers tuning into the Paris Olympics while Morocco has been competing may wonder why the country's abbreviation is listed as "MAR."

The reason is actually pretty simple, and it's a question that popped up previously during Morocco's history-making run in the 2022 World Cup and during the women's World Cup in 2023.

While most country acronyms, officially known as IOC country codes for the Olympics, come from the first three letters of a country's name in English, there are exceptions. Morocco is one of those exceptions.

Why is Morocco 'MAR'?

While the country's English name is Morocco, it's known as Maroc in French.

According to a 2018 report from Slate, even though the official languages of the country are Arabic and Tamazight, French continues to have a powerful position there as a holdover from the colonial era.

Morocco isn't the only team in the Olympics that differs from that English standard.

Other abbreviations that stand out in Paris include Spain going by "ESP," Saudi Arabia abbreviated to "KSA" (for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) and South Africa referred to as "RSA."

The Refugee Olympic Team, all compromised of 37 individual athletes from 11 countries, have the code "EOR" for these Games because the French name is Équipe olympique des réfugiés. The team was created for the Rio Olympics in 2016 as a symbol of hope and to call attention to the plight of refugees worldwide.