# Hicham El Guerrouj

> Moroccan middle and long distance runner

**Wikidata**: [Q83905](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q83905)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hicham_El_Guerrouj)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hicham-el-guerrouj

## Summary
Hicham El Guerrouj is a Moroccan middle and long-distance runner who competed in athletics from 1992 to 2006. He is best known for his achievements in the 1500 meters and 5000 meters events, including multiple world records and Olympic medals. His career spanned elite-level competition and international recognition.

## Biography
- Born: September 14, 1974
- Nationality: Moroccan
- Education: Not specified in source material
- Known for: Setting world records in middle and long-distance running
- Employer(s): Not specified in source material
- Field(s): Track and field athletics

## Contributions
Hicham El Guerrouj set multiple world records in middle and long-distance running during his career. He held the 1500 meters world record from 1997 to 2003 and the 5000 meters world record from 1998 to 2003. He also won multiple medals at the World Championships and Olympic Games, including a silver medal in the 1500 meters at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. His achievements contributed to the global recognition of Moroccan athletics.

## FAQs
### What events did Hicham El Guerrouj compete in?
Hicham El Guerrouj competed in the 1500 meters and 5000 meters events, where he set world records and won multiple medals.

### What world records did Hicham El Guerrouj hold?
He held the 1500 meters world record from 1997 to 2003 and the 5000 meters world record from 1998 to 2003.

### What Olympic medals did Hicham El Guerrouj win?
He won a silver medal in the 1500 meters at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

### What awards did Hicham El Guerrouj receive?
He received the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, L'Équipe Champion of Champions, and was inducted into the IAAF Hall of Fame.

### What is Hicham El Guerrouj's nationality?
Hicham El Guerrouj is Moroccan.

## Why They Matter
Hicham El Guerrouj's achievements elevated Moroccan athletics to global prominence. His world records and Olympic medals inspired future generations of Moroccan runners and demonstrated the country's strength in middle and long-distance running. His influence extended beyond athletics, contributing to Morocco's reputation as a competitive nation in international sports.

## Notable For
- Held the 1500 meters world record from 1997 to 2003
- Held the 5000 meters world record from 1998 to 2003
- Won a silver medal in the 1500 meters at the 2000 Sydney Olympics
- Received the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports
- Inducted into the IAAF Hall of Fame
- Recognized as a key figure in Moroccan athletics

## Body
### Early Life and Career
Hicham El Guerrouj was born on September 14, 1974. He began competing in athletics in 1992 and quickly rose to prominence in middle and long-distance running. His career spanned from 1992 to 2006, during which he set multiple world records and won major international medals.

### World Records and Achievements
El Guerrouj set the 1500 meters world record in 1997 and held it until 2003. He later set the 5000 meters world record in 1998, which he also defended until 2003. His records were notable for their consistency and dominance in the sport.

### Olympic and World Championships Performance
At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, El Guerrouj won a silver medal in the 1500 meters. He also competed in multiple World Championships, where he won medals in both the 1500 meters and 5000 meters events.

### Awards and Recognition
El Guerrouj received the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports in 2003, recognizing his outstanding contributions to athletics. He was also awarded L'Équipe Champion of Champions and was inducted into the IAAF Hall of Fame in 2012.

### Legacy and Influence
El Guerrouj's achievements inspired Moroccan athletes and contributed to the country's growing reputation in international sports. His records and medals remain significant milestones in the history of middle and long-distance running.

## References

1. Dictionary of African Biography
2. [Source](https://www.uphf.fr/actualites/ceremonie-remise-titres-docteur-honoris-causa-12/04/24)
3. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20231214140029/https://www.aljazeera.net/encyclopedia/2014/10/23/%d9%87%d8%b4%d8%a7%d9%85-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%83%d8%b1%d9%88%d8%ac)
4. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
5. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
6. World Athletics database
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013