Hicham El Guerrouj: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Hicham El Guerrouj (born September 14, 1974) is a world record setting middle distance athlete who has now moved up to compete in long distance events.

Born in Berkane, Morocco, Hicham El Guerrouj began running at the international level in 1994. He rose to international prominence in the mid-1990s with near-record times in the 1500 meters and mile. In 1996, he finished a disappointing eighth at the Atlanta Olympics. El Guerrouj later made up for it by winning four consecutive world titles in 1997, 1999, 2001, and 2003. El Guerrouj broke the world record in the mile set by Noureddine Morceli of Algeria on July 14, 1998. He lowered the record to its current 3 minutes, 43 seconds at Rome in 1999. At the Sydney Olympics in 2000, he finished second in the 1500 meters. He won the gold medal in both the 1500 and 5000 meters at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.