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Hicham El Guerrouj
Morocco
| Fact title | Fact data |
|---|---|
| Sport: |
Athletics
|
| Olympics: |
1996 Atlanta, 2000 Sydney, 2004 Athens
|
| Medals: |
2 gold & 1 silver
|
Hicham El Guerrouj was the outstanding 1500m runner of the last fifteen years. In 1998 he set a new world record of 3 minutes and 26 seconds – which still stands going in the 2012 London Games - and he won four consecutive World Championships.
But it wasn’t until the 2004 Games in Athens that he won gold in the Olympic 1500m. In this final he was described by commentators as running the perfect 1500m race.
He returned to the track to win gold in the 5000m, the first man since Paavo Nurmi in 1924 to win both Olympic titles.
Clips
Hicham El Guerrouj fulfils his Olympic dream
In 1998, Moroccan runner Hicham El Guerrouj set a new world record for the 1500m.
