Olympic Games BEIJING, olympic diary

Hicham El Guerrouj: “I remain faithful to the values of the sport”

Usually rather reserved with respect to the press, the young dad, well in his tennis shoes, agreed to reconsider, for you, ten years of an exceptional career. He also speaks to us about his projects. Many! Without make-up, but with much of decency.

You began very early, at age the 14 years, to then connect the competitions as of 20 years… From where you comes this gift for the basic race?

I began, it is true, in 1988, at the time of the sporting events organised by the school and I even left second my very first race! I am re-examined, young person, to run against my neighbours of districts after the ftour… I gained each time! Later, in 1991, I integrated the national centre of Reduction and I started to dream and believe in my capacities of endurance. Around 21 years, I wanted to develop this gift and to invest me completely. I did not leave any more the evening: I asserted myself a true discipline… Each day, each drive, had become a challenge.

With the passing, which glance do you relate to these years?

I have only beautiful memories! (to smile). I do not like to speak about it, but when one decides to stop, the memory starts to work. The memories return. I made an exceptional career, I believe, ten years of high level sport, 1994 to 2004. I lived very difficult moments in my sporting career and thanks to the will and with work, I could surmount them:

Today, what can I say? That I am proud of my course and to trust especially with respect to my children… Because all that did not arrive by chance, it was necessary much to cling. I always have the goose flesh when I reconsider at these times. I speak about it with my heart and much about heat!

We will still revive these emotions, but which is your best memory of career, Hicham?

Without hesitation, birth of my daughter, right before the OJ of 2004! that was also the most difficult year for me because I had respiratory concern.

At two months of the Olympiads, I was still very disturbed: birth of my daughter, my problem of asthma which was really not arranged. I did not manage any more to find my reference marks and ten days after the birth, I lose a race. I arrive eighth. Where people awaited really the return of Hicham, I finish eighth… Thanks to the support of my close relations, the team and His Mohammed VI Majesty, which instructed some doctors to follow me, I could find a very good level. At fifteen days of the J.O, I had returned to the signal!

Does Athens remain your greater joy of sportsman?

Yes, I believe that it is Athens! It should not be forgotten that in 1996, I lose. In Sydney, four years later, I lose… And I thus arrive at Athens with a hope not yet “clearly” because I already lost twice. The race day before, I am stressed. These 24 hours that I lived before were longest of all my life! I enter the stage with only one dream, to gain the 1500 metres! I said myself: “Hicham, this final, you must gain it, in any manner that it is! ”. And I gained. It is for me, the medal which has the most merit, because there is a whole history behind… It is a dream for all the young Moroccan sportsmen!

According to you, Hicham, how does one rise in the first places of the most prestigious podiums, several years of continuation?

Initially, it there with the will and the fact of working with always same enthusiasm. Of course, it there with the family and entourage of the athlete who counts more than all. I have chance, because I kept the same environment throughout my career. I have an extraordinary mother, with a mental force enough… “Berber”! (laughter). My father also made much for me, it always travelled to my sides… It is a discrete man, never in front of the cameras. Before entering a stage, I had a small ritual: touch so that it transmits its energy to me. It is my amulet! I benefit from it to thank all those which helped me, and I have a thought particularly moved for my very first trainer.

You evoked hard moments presently. It sometimes happened to you to fall with a turn of the arrival…. What does one feel in these painful moments?

To fall in Atlanta, at the beginning of my career, it was really terrible. Thanks to this fall, I resisted during four years and I gained not badly races.

It is a very great physical and mental work. For the difficult periods, much supported me. After the defeat in Sydney, my entourage allowed me to go up the slope. With the passing, I retain a thing: I wanted to stop in peace