El Guerrouj retires after illustrious career

23/05/2006

[Getty Images] El Guerrouj

Moroccan Olympic champion Hicham El Guerrouj announced his retirement on Monday (22 May), ending a stellar 19-year career that he capped with double Olympic Gold at the Athens Olympics in 2004. "I took the decision to retire because I suddenly began to sleep well three weeks ago," said El Guerrouj at a press conference in Casablanca. "During this period I was in a state of flux, I just did not know whether I should run or stop, now it is done, I am relieved."

The 31-year old won the 1500m and the 5000m in Athens, and is the world record holder for the 1500m, the mile and 2000m outdoors and 1500m and mile indoors. Between 1996 and 2004, he won 84 of 89 races as well as four world titles.

El Guerrouj said he would like to pass on all he learnt during his career to young Moroccan athletes. "It is important that the young Moroccan athletes believe that anything is possible. Sport is always a source of hope," he said. (AFP)