Dubai: Famed 1500 metres world champion Hicham Al Guerrouj of Morocco has called for greater involvement and a better co-ordination from the public and private sectors if the region is to tap its true potential in sport.
“The strength of the Arab world is our youth. We have the youngest population compared to any other part of the world and this is our advantage. We believe that this young population can make a difference in sport as in any other field in society,” Al Guerrouj told Gulf News on the eve of the Peace and Sport Forum Dubai 2013.
“I also believe that countries from North Africa and the Middle East can play a big role in sport in the future. We are in a position to have the biggest champions as we also have some of the best facilities in sport,” he added.
Born in Berkan, Morocco, Al Guerrouj went on to dominate middle distance running in the 1990s and early part of this century with his final competitive run coming at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Aptly labelled the “King of the Mile”, the 38-year-old is the current holder of the
1,500m and outdoor 2,000m world records and is considered by many to be the greatest middle distance runner of all time.
“Records are meant to be broken, but since this one is still there it makes me so happy. Having a world record after so many years is like a gift from God,” Guerrouj said.
In 1999, the Moroccan set a new world record of 3:43.13 in the Mile after setting a world mark of 3:26.00 a year earlier for the 1,500m, both in Rome.
“This is the beauty of sport. God has created different humans who can push themselves and achieve. I believe this record will be broken one day,” he observed. It may be next year or in another two years time, but it will be broken. Till then, I am happy,” he added.
“Since I started doing sport, I wanted to be the best. I wanted to push myself and achieve my best. Each time I was out on the track I tried to send a positive message that we can make a difference. Sport is an international language of peace and I am so happy to play this role as an ambassador.”
Al Guerrouj feels Sunday’s London Marathon was the right sort of answer to calming the nerves after the Boston blast. “To see 37,000 people turning up for the London Marathon is delivering a strong message to all concerned. This means that sport can heal,” he said.
