Hicham El Guerrouj covered by the Moroccan flag after winning his fourth consecutive 1500m world title (© Getty Images)
The maestro of the metric mile knelt and kissed the track, and then lay flat on his back, using his national flag as a shroud.
Covering himself completely, from head to foot, Hicham El Guerrouj lay motionless after his fourth consecutive World Championship 1500 metres victory. Through the material, the Paris sky assumed a rosy glow as he retreated to a private world of sanity in a frenetic Stade de France.
The sheikh of the metric mile had defended his realm against just 11 challengers on the track, but felt he had had to overcome an entire nation. He even believed that France detested him, and had to phone his little sister for reassurance after a sleepless five nights in Paris.
The same sister who helped convince him that it would be wrong to walk away after a second Olympic defeat, persuaded him that Allah would inspire him.
She proved prophetic, for her brother won with a time of 3:31.77, from Mehdi Baala of France (3:32.31) and Ivan Heshko of Ukraine (3:33.17). In doing so, he joined Michael Johnson (400m), and Haile Gebrselassie (10,000m) as the only track runners to win four successive world titles. He hopes to tackle the 5000m heats today, in search of a major championship double last achieved by the Finnish legend, Paavo Nurmi, at the 1924 Olympic Games, also staged here in Paris.
There was no restraining his unfettered joy. Normally quiet and dignified, El Guerrouj boogied off on a lap of honour. Improbably playing air guitar, he graciously tried to persuade the whole field to share the moment and join him, decathlon style. None of of his rivals was up for the gig. They had nothing left in their legs. As Baala and a second Frenchman, Fouad Chouki, lined up the crowd chanted "Allez Les Blues" at such decibels that the hairs on the back of the neck stood as erect as a troop of the Swiss Guard.
After an opening lap of 57.70, executed to his astonishment by the Spaniard Reyes Estevez, El Guerrouj took control with some 840 metres left, reaching 800m in 1:56.29, and covering the final 400m in 53.9. It was his 77th win in 80 starts at the distance.
Though he has twice won this title in faster times, never has there been a world final of such intensity. Tenth place in 3:34.39, by Isaac Songok of Kenya, would have beaten El Guerouj for the first of his four titles in Athens six years ago, and is comfortably the fastest tenth-place time in the history of the race.
"It wasn't easy," agreed the world record-holder. "I was against 60,000 people out there. "Since I arrived in Paris I have not been able to sleep. I have found it impossible to sleep for five days, and as well as that, I was up against the whole of France.
"I rang home last night and said: 'all of France hates me' but my sister said, 'God loves you and he will help you win'."
"'Bring me back the gold,' she said, and that's what I did. "This is fantastic. I have protected my kingdom. I am still king of the 1500 metres."
He paid tribute to his rivals. "Mehdi made it a wonderful race and was given fantastic support by the crowd, but I never doubted I would win. The race was crazy, but it is the most beautiful day of my life."
"When Estevez went to the front I thought: 'What is he doing there', but I was not worried that Mehdi was just behind me."
"There were 62,000, or however many people, all cheering Mehdi, and I was asking myself 'do I still exist?' but I told myself to relax. Experience counts for a lot, and in the last 60m I was sure I would win."
"There have been criticisms of me this year, but when you are facing a challenge you have to deal with a few things like that. Some people said I was finished, but look at me, I am young, beautiful, and classy."
"The whole of France was supporting Mehdi and I understand that, but it is disappointing there have been so many negative comments about me this year. I am an ambassador for the sport and we should be sending out positive messages."
He was referring to those who suggested his recent back problems were overplayed. He showed such backbone last night that none will doubt his total recovery.
Baala said he had: "never known so much stress. Having everyone cheering for you gives you an advantage, but also brings a lot of pressure. It was like being in a concert hall. My ears were almost hurting from the noise and I was nearly brought to tears."
"Hicham is a fantastic runner. Thinking you are going to beat him is dreaming, but I ran the right race."
"I don't think the Olympics next year will be as stressful as this."
Covering himself completely, from head to foot, Hicham El Guerrouj lay motionless after his fourth consecutive World Championship 1500 metres victory. Through the material, the Paris sky assumed a rosy glow as he retreated to a private world of sanity in a frenetic Stade de France.
The sheikh of the metric mile had defended his realm against just 11 challengers on the track, but felt he had had to overcome an entire nation. He even believed that France detested him, and had to phone his little sister for reassurance after a sleepless five nights in Paris.
The same sister who helped convince him that it would be wrong to walk away after a second Olympic defeat, persuaded him that Allah would inspire him.
She proved prophetic, for her brother won with a time of 3:31.77, from Mehdi Baala of France (3:32.31) and Ivan Heshko of Ukraine (3:33.17). In doing so, he joined Michael Johnson (400m), and Haile Gebrselassie (10,000m) as the only track runners to win four successive world titles. He hopes to tackle the 5000m heats today, in search of a major championship double last achieved by the Finnish legend, Paavo Nurmi, at the 1924 Olympic Games, also staged here in Paris.
There was no restraining his unfettered joy. Normally quiet and dignified, El Guerrouj boogied off on a lap of honour. Improbably playing air guitar, he graciously tried to persuade the whole field to share the moment and join him, decathlon style. None of of his rivals was up for the gig. They had nothing left in their legs. As Baala and a second Frenchman, Fouad Chouki, lined up the crowd chanted "Allez Les Blues" at such decibels that the hairs on the back of the neck stood as erect as a troop of the Swiss Guard.
After an opening lap of 57.70, executed to his astonishment by the Spaniard Reyes Estevez, El Guerrouj took control with some 840 metres left, reaching 800m in 1:56.29, and covering the final 400m in 53.9. It was his 77th win in 80 starts at the distance.
Though he has twice won this title in faster times, never has there been a world final of such intensity. Tenth place in 3:34.39, by Isaac Songok of Kenya, would have beaten El Guerouj for the first of his four titles in Athens six years ago, and is comfortably the fastest tenth-place time in the history of the race.
"It wasn't easy," agreed the world record-holder. "I was against 60,000 people out there. "Since I arrived in Paris I have not been able to sleep. I have found it impossible to sleep for five days, and as well as that, I was up against the whole of France.
"I rang home last night and said: 'all of France hates me' but my sister said, 'God loves you and he will help you win'."
"'Bring me back the gold,' she said, and that's what I did. "This is fantastic. I have protected my kingdom. I am still king of the 1500 metres."
He paid tribute to his rivals. "Mehdi made it a wonderful race and was given fantastic support by the crowd, but I never doubted I would win. The race was crazy, but it is the most beautiful day of my life."
"When Estevez went to the front I thought: 'What is he doing there', but I was not worried that Mehdi was just behind me."
"There were 62,000, or however many people, all cheering Mehdi, and I was asking myself 'do I still exist?' but I told myself to relax. Experience counts for a lot, and in the last 60m I was sure I would win."
"There have been criticisms of me this year, but when you are facing a challenge you have to deal with a few things like that. Some people said I was finished, but look at me, I am young, beautiful, and classy."
"The whole of France was supporting Mehdi and I understand that, but it is disappointing there have been so many negative comments about me this year. I am an ambassador for the sport and we should be sending out positive messages."
He was referring to those who suggested his recent back problems were overplayed. He showed such backbone last night that none will doubt his total recovery.
Baala said he had: "never known so much stress. Having everyone cheering for you gives you an advantage, but also brings a lot of pressure. It was like being in a concert hall. My ears were almost hurting from the noise and I was nearly brought to tears."
"Hicham is a fantastic runner. Thinking you are going to beat him is dreaming, but I ran the right race."
"I don't think the Olympics next year will be as stressful as this."
