Hicham Guerrouj
Hicham Guerrouj
Middle distance runner who won gold medals in both the 1500 meter and 5000 meter competitions at the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
ProfessionRunner
Date of Birth14 September 1974
CityBerkane, Morocco
cried cry finally four joy living moment tears today
It is finally complete. Four years ago in Sydney, I cried with sadness. Today I cry tears of joy. I'm living a moment of glory.
explain father great knew living morocco talk toughest trying
My father told me it was not a job, that I wouldn't make a living at tennis, ... The toughest part was trying to explain to him that I could be the first one from Morocco to do it. But he didn't want me to play. We didn't talk for a year. That was when I knew I couldn't fail. I had to show him it was the right decision. It was a great motivation.
otherwise point
Otherwise there is not much point in me going.
affordable arab belong cannot clubs courts dreams fill grand kids morocco offer player practices public simply slam states tennis united won
Tennis is simply not affordable to many in the Arab world, ... They should have public courts like they do in the United States and France. One of my dreams is to fill Morocco with public courts and offer practices to kids who cannot afford to belong to clubs or have coaches. But that's in the future. For now, I am competing. No Arab player has ever won a grand slam event. My dream is to be the first.
blisters celebrated joy run shoes sleep tough tried
It was tough but I tried to run easy. I have blisters from my shoes and I didn't sleep because of the joy I felt. I have not celebrated yet.
accepted advice dinner gave hotels living match pro supported tennis travel until
She accepted the travel and living in hotels for 11 months, ... With a child, she could have said she wanted to be home, and that would have been difficult. After a match it's 10 p.m., and then you have dinner until 12 - all the inconveniences of a pro athlete. Tennis was my first priority, and she accepted it. She gave advice and supported me.
compete
If I am to compete in it it is only if I feel I can win,