Yomi Omogbeja (25/08/2004)

Morocco's Hicham El Guerrouj has finally won the elusive 1500m Olympic title at the third attempt.

El Guerrouj held off his arch rival Kenya's Bernard Lagat in an epic duel over the final 100m to take gold.

Lagat accelerated down the home stretch but El Guerrouj somehow held on to win in 3:34.18 seconds to Lagat's 3:34.30 seconds. Portugal's Rui Silva took bronze in 3:34.68 seconds.

The four-time world champion and world record holder had been twice denied in Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 despite being the undisputed world number one in the event.

He was beaten by lagat earlier this year in Rome, his first loss since Sydney, but bounced back strongly to reclaim the world leading performance in Heusden-Zolder, Belgium.

'Tears of joy'

El Guerrouj collapsed in tears as he crossed the finishing line and was very elated and relieved.

He said: " I am very happy, I just cannot express my joy. When we went through the 800m mark at over 2 minutes, I knew that the pace was slow and I had to speed up.

"I sped up again with 300m to go but each time Lagat came back at me. In the homestretch when he came back at me again, it felt like an avalanche.

"In the last 50 metres, the first thing I thought about was Sydney because Noah Ngeny overtook me, I just didn't have any more energy. But today, when Lagat caught me, I managed to find the strength for the last kick.

"Four years ago, I was crying tears of sadness, and today I'm crying tears of joy. I'm like a five-year-old, living something wonderful with the people I love and people who love me."

Difficult season

It was a dream come true for El Guerrouj who had looked vulnerable this season battling with allegy problems and not running smoothly.

He said: "I had some very difficult moments this season. That's the kind of test that makes great athletes. There were times I didn't even know if I was going to the Olympics, and I was only ranked eighth in the world.

"But I eventually managed to come back, thanks to my determination, and the support of my family, coach and federation."

BBC sports' Steve Cram was so happy with the win that he ran from the commentary box to hug 'El G' as he's fondly called.

Cram said: "I was really worried beforehand. I just feared that, after the uncertain form he's shown this season, he would be in front only to buckle in the final few metres.

"When Bernard Lagat came alongside him and then edged in front, I thought - uh-oh, here we go again.

"But he kept coming back. Ultimately, he was hungrier than Lagat - and he finally got the gold his enormous talent and fantastic career deserve."

El Guerrouj will be on the track again this morning for the men's 5000m heats.

"I'm really hungry for tomorrow. Things won't be like last year," he said after training yesterday.

see also:

El Guerrouj's win streak ends

El Guerrouj bounces back