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Morocco's El Guerrouj finally wins men's 1,500m gold
Four-time world champion Hicham El Guerrouj of Morocco finally captured an Olympic gold medal in the men's 1,500m after two failed attempts in Athens on August 24. The 29-year-old world record holder fell at the last moment in 1996 Atlanta Olympics and finished second in Sydney four years later. El Guerrouj, who just had his winning streak of 29 races ended before coming to Athens, clocked three minutes 34.18 seconds for his first Olympic gold. He took the lead in the second lap and beat a late surge from Kenya's Bernard Lagat down the stretch for the emotional victory. Lagat, bronze medalist in Sydney four years ago, took the silver in 3:34.30. The bronze went to Portugal's Rui Silva in 3:34. 68. A jubilant El Guerrouj said, "It is finally complete. I am very happy for my friends, for my family and the king. I thank the Moroccan and Arabic people for their support. I'm so happy. "The race was very difficult. I started powerfully." El Guerrouj said he will come back strong in the men's 5,000m. "I hope to do the same in the 5,000m." Lagat said he was pleased that El Guerrouj finally made it in Athens. "I'm very happy for him. He was stronger mentally. He has now achieved it all. This gold medal was the only thing missing. He deserves it. He's a great athlete, on and off the track. And also a very good friend of mine. "He pulled it out today. He's a strong athlete. I'm really, really pleased for him. I knew he would do it. He really deserved it. I was the first to congratulate him. "I did not win because I gave 100 percent and EL Guerrouj gave 101 percent." Lagat said it will be his turn to win in the Beijing Olympic Games. "This silver medal inspires me a lot because I want to be Olympic champion in Beijing. Maybe in my third Olympic Games, I can get a gold." |
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