Algerian Olympic delegation optimistic about medal chances

10/08/2008

On the eve of their quest for Olympic gold, Algerian athletes got a boost of confidence in Beijing from former medallists and President Bouteflika.

By Nazim Fethi for Magharebia in Algiers – 10/08/08

[Getty Images] Algeria's delegation parades during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games opening ceremony on August 8th. Athletes and coaches are exhibiting prudent optimism about the delegation's medal chances.

As competition gets under way at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Algerian athletes and coaches are exhibiting prudent optimism about the delegation's medal chances.

On Thursday, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika hosted a reception for the Olympic team in Beijing, where some former Olympic champions who came to China to support the athletes offered encouragement to the 61 competitors in 12 sports, including boxing, volleyball, swimming, athletics and judo.

"I cannot make any predictions, and it is difficult for a sportsman to make a prediction. But we are confident that Algeria has medal chances," Bouteflika said.

Despite fielding competitors in multiple sports, Algeria's hopes mostly rest on three disciplines: track and field, boxing and judo.

While Algerian judokas and boxers will face their opponents in indoor arenas, athletes whose events will be held outside face bigger problems than fending off international challengers.

According to one former Algerian Olympic champion, air quality and atmospheric conditions in Beijing pose a serious concern.

Hassiba Boulmerka, who won a gold medal in the 1500m at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, said that "it will be difficult to break any records here in Beijing in the middle- to long-distance races because the levels of pollution remain very high, as do the humidity and the considerable heat".

"Jet lag will also have a significant effect," she added, "because people have not adapted quickly. But in the Olympics, the most important thing is the medals, not records."

Talking about Algeria's chances in 2008, she stressed that the Algerians have different priorities from the other athletes: "Remember that our national sides are trying to establish an international standing."

Nouredine Morceli, 1500m champion at the 1996 Games in Atlanta, was more optimistic. "We are very confident," the track star said.

"The sporting delegation has received a visit and the support of the Head of State, and we hope that (the competitors) will do Algerian sports justice," Morceli added.

Along with Boulmerka and Morceli, other Algerian medallists at previous Olympic Games invited to attend the Beijing Games included Nouria Mérah-Benida, who won the women's 1500m gold medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, and Sydney 5000m silver medallist Ali Saidi-Sief. Bronze medallists Djabir Said Guerni (800m) and Abderrahmane Hammad (high jump) also travelled to Beijing.

Light heavyweight boxer Mustapha Moussa, the bronze medallist at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, and 1984 Olympic middleweight boxing champion Mohamed Zaoui were also invited by the Algerian Olympic Committee to attend the Beijing Games. They were the first Algerians to win Olympic medals for their country.

Inspired by the Algerian boxing stars' examples and support, young Algerian heavyweight boxer Abdelaziz Touilbini feels good about his country's medal chances.

"I'm optimistic I'll be on the podium. All the Algerian boxers are in with a chance (of a medal). We're very confident. We'll be doing our very best to get a long way in the competition and show Algerian boxing in the best possible light," he said.

Algeria first participated in the Olympics in Tokyo in 1964, when gymnast Mohamed Lazhari, currently president of the African Gymnastics Confederation, was a competitor.

Since then, Algerians have won a total of eleven Olympic medals.

All were awarded in just two disciplines: track and field (3 gold, 2 bronze) and boxing (1 gold, 5 bronze).