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Hicham El Guerrouj, Morocco   Destination:   Simon Bruty 2000 Sydney Olympics track competition Traveling from: Rabat, Morocco Personal: Age: 25 Height: 5' 9"   El Guerrouj is the dominant middle-distance runner in the world. He has won the last two 1,500 meters at the World Championships; he owns the world record in the 1,500 and 2,000 meters and the mile, and he has run the second-fastest 3,000 meters in history. He became interested in racing as a child after being inspired by countryman Said Aouita's win in the 5,000 meters during the 1984 Olympics. While El Guerrouj's distance is shorter -- he specializes in the 1,500 (which is the mile's metric equivalent) -- he is no less inspirational. In 1999, he won all six of his 1,500 and mile events -- and set a world record in the mile -- following hemorrhoid surgery Achievements: 1999 World Championships, 1st, 1,500 meters 1998 Won all 12 events he entered (combination mile and 1,500 meters) 1997 World Championships, 1st, 1,500 meters, and won all but one event he entered 1996 Olympic Games, 12th, 1,500 meters 1996 Grand Prix Finals, 1st, 1,500 meters 1995 World Championships, 2nd, 1,500 meters Currently: The one accomplishment that has eluded El Guerrouj is an Olympic gold medal. In 1996, he was battling Algerian Noureddine Morceli , who at the time was the pre-eminent middle-distance runner, in the final lap of the 1,500 when El Gerrouj fell to the track. The stumble proved costly, as he finished 12th. Since that race, he has lost only once in the 1,500. This spring El Guerrouj said he hopes to lower his world record in the mile or 1,500 this summer. He also plans to continue competing through the 2,004 Olympics, and may move up to the 5,000.

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