Moroccan Hicham EL GUERROUJ is the undisputed king of the metric mile, as he collected his fourth World 1500m title here tonight.
Entering the Championships there were some who thought this would be a test of his talents as a racer rather than a runner as two Olympic losses blotted his copy book.
Facing him were two Frenchmen hailing from Strasbourg - Mehdi BAALA and Fouad CHOUKI. Both with bests set this season they only sat a second or so away on the 2003 rankings. Not a lot of breathing space for El Guerrouj.
Both locals received enormous cheers when introduced at the start and the support of the crowd certainly spurred them on.
After some initially tussling for the lead, Spaniard Reyes ESTEVES took matters into his hands entering the home straight for the first time. He was followed by Baala and the winner of the Kenyan world championships trial, Paul KORIR. El Guerrouj was not far away. The first lap was passed in 57.70.
Hitting the straight for the second time the Moroccan maestro clearly felt the pace wasn't to his liking and strode decisively to the front. The 800m was reached in 1:56.29, second lap of 58.59. All this time carrying his French shadow, Baala.
Starting the long drive for home El Guerrouj started to tighten the screws.
Reaching the bell the procession behind him was Baala, Esteves, Ukrainian Ivan HESKO, Chouki, then Korir.
The 1200m mark was passed in 2:51.28, the 54.99 third lap asking some harsh questions of the lesser lights in the field.
With 200m to go Baala was keeping contact and Chouki had moved to third to really whip the French crowd into a frenzy.
While probably feeling the heat of the close attention of Baala, El Guerrouj remained calm. The final play from Baala came with 80m to go, but El Guerrouj still had an ace in his hand. He pulled away majestically, finishing in 3:31.77. Baala was second in 3:32.31.
Chouki held third until 50m to go but the crowd could carry him no further, and was swamped in the closing stages. Hesko won the scramble for the bronze, (3:33.17) with Korir fourth in 3:33.47. Chouki stumbled across the line not far away in eighth place, 3:34.05.
This was a fine display of controlled running from El Guerrouj, showing there is a reason he holds the world records for 1500m, the mile and 2000m. While from Baala it was a brave run with the weight of expectation on him.
Like his countryman, Marc RAQUIL in the 400m the night before, he responded to the big occasion and the pressure that went with it. If El Guerrouj doesn't turn his back on the 1500m he can expect further duels with this slick Frenchman.
