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Hisham El-GerruzhTrack and field athlete, middle and long distance runner.
Date of Birth: 14.09.1974
Country:  Morocco |
Content:
- Biography of Hicham El Guerrouj
- Early Life and Inspiration
- Olympic Disappointments
- Olympic Success
- Retirement and Achievements
Biography of Hicham El Guerrouj
Hicham El Guerrouj is a middle and long-distance runner specializing in the 1500m, 3000m, 1 mile, and 5000m events. He is a two-time Olympic champion and four-time world champion. El Guerrouj also holds the world records for the 1500m and 1 mile races (1609.3m).
Early Life and Inspiration
Hicham El Guerrouj was inspired to pursue athletics by his idol, Said Aouita. He began seriously training in track and field and achieved his first success at the 1992 Junior World Championships, where he won the bronze medal in the 5000m event, finishing behind Haile Gebrselassie.
Olympic Disappointments
Despite being considered a favorite, El Guerrouj faced setbacks at the Olympic Games. At the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, he fell after the first lap in the 1500m race and finished 12th. In the 2000 Athens Olympics, El Guerrouj arrived as the world record holder and reigning world champion but finished second behind Noah Ngeny of Kenya, who had acted as his pacemaker during the race where El Guerrouj set the world record.
Olympic Success
In 2004, El Guerrouj finally achieved Olympic success. He decided to compete in both the 1500m and 5000m events. He became the Olympic champion in both races, becoming the first athlete since the legendary Paavo Nurmi in the 1920s to achieve this double. In the 5000m race, El Guerrouj defeated another favored athlete, Kenenisa Bekele of Ethiopia.
Retirement and Achievements
In 2006, Hicham El Guerrouj retired from athletics due to a sports injury. Throughout his career, he participated in three Olympic Games (1996, 2000, 2004) and five World Championships (1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003). He won the world championship in the 1500m event in 1997, 1999, 2001, and 2003.
El Guerrouj was also the winner of the Golden League Jackpot in 1998 and 2001. He was recognized as the IAAF Athlete of the Year in 1999, 2001, and 2002.
