AFP
27 June 2000 – Rabat, Morocco - World 5000m silver medallist Zahra Ouaziz' dream of Olympic gold ended Tuesday with announcement that the Moroccan will undergo surgery in France on July 6 for an achilles tendon injury.
The Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation (FRMA) confirmed that Ouaziz, who won silver at the World Championships in Seville last year, will have to rest of three months following the operation which will take place in the southern French town of Montpellier.
The decision to operate was taken after medical tests showed heavy inflammation in the area around the athlete's left achilles tendon and means Ouaziz will not be fit for the Sydney Olympics in September.
At the IAAF Golden League meet at Paris/Saint-Denis last Friday, the Moroccan champion finished the 3000m in seventh position, crossing the finishing line in tears because of the pain.
Ouaziz underwent a similar operation on her right foot in 1990. She holds African records in the 3000m (8:26.48) and 5000m (14:32.28).