Hicham’s
happy to aim at Athletics’ Grand Slam
31 May 2002 - Paris - The World’s greatest miler Morocco’s Hicham El Guerrouj
mingled with the World’s greatest tennis players around the grounds of Roland
Garros at the Grand Slam French Tennis Open yesterday.
El Guerrouj, who along with Marion Jones was officially signed on Thursday to compete in all seven meetings of the 2002 Golden League, having also made the decision not to move up to 5000m quite yet, is clearly an athlete in love with the metric mile.
“Exactly. I love it and have done it for eight years and have been World champion three times and would like to win again in Paris 2003.”
Yet this summer all El Guerrouj’s attentions are focused on just one target, the Golden League Jackpot.
“The Golden League is the Grand Slam of Athletics,” El Guerrouj was pleased to confirm in Paris. “It may be difficult to win seven events but men like challenges. Also it helps to prove that we are capable of running at the top level every Friday which is a noble achievement.”
But how much faster can the Moroccan who already owns the World 1500m (3:26.00) and Mile (3:43.13) records, run?
“I hope to run 3.25 this year. That's what I am training for. Rome could be the place for me to do it. I have broken two World records there! Zürich is another good meeting and after altitude training I may run a fast 1500 metres there. The crowd is great and that's a possible place for a World record.”
”It is very difficult to win all seven, but I do like the Golden League concept and I have many fond memories from the meets. I hope to continue to do well this summer.”
