ATH: Gold medallist Hicham El Guerrouj

AAP General News (Australia)
08-29-2004
ATH: Gold medallist Hicham El Guerrouj

ATHENS, Aug 28 Reuters - Factbox on Hicham El Guerrouj (Morocco) who won the Olympic
gold medal in the men's 5,000 metres on Saturday:

Age: 29 (date of birth: September 14 1974)

Place of birth: Berkane, Morocco

Height: 1.76 metres

Weight: 63kg

Career achievements:

Gold medallist 2004 Olympics 1,500m

Gold medallist in 2003 world championships 1,500m

Silver medallist in 2003 world championships 5,000m

Gold medallist in 2001 world championships 1,500m

Gold medallist in world indoor championships 3,000m

Silver medallist in 2000 Olympics 1,500m

Gold medallist in 1999 world championships 1,500m

Gold medallist in 1997 world championships 1,500m

Silver medallist in 1995 world championships 1,500m

Set 1,500m world record of three minutes 26.00 seconds in Rome in July 1998

Previous Olympic results: 1996 1,500m 12th (after falling), 2000 1,500m 2nd

- - - -

The greatest metric miler of all time, he holds both the mile and 2,000 world records
as well as the 1,500. Has dipped under three minutes 30 seconds an astonishing 31 times.

Back trouble has dogged him in recent years and respiratory problems hindered him earlier
this season. Married in September 2003 and has young daughter. Took up running aged 15
after his mother complained he was getting too dirty playing soccer. Childhood hero was
compatriot Said Aouita, the 1984 Olympic 5,000m champion. Emulated the 1924 achievement
of Finn Paavo Nurmi by winning the 1,500 and 5,000 in Athens.

Reuters nhJ

KEYWORD: OLY ATH 5000 FACTBOX

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