Morocco's El-Guerrouj secure share in 50 kilos of gold ingots

Morocco's World Champ and recordman on Friday won the 2000 meters of the Berlin meeting and secured his share in the the 50 kilos of gold ingots which reward the winners of the IAAF Golden League.

But the Moroccan achieved only part of his objectives at the race. His victory in 4:51.18 secured him a share in the Golden League jackpot for the third time in four editions (1998, 2000 and 2001) but he looked a little spent and unable after the 800m mark to maintain the pace required to seriously threaten his own world record of 4:44.79, falling well behind Kenyan pacemaker Laban Rotich in the third lap and even suffering the return on his heels of Driss Maazouzi, who set a French record with 4:55.55.

"The pace was exactly what I had wanted," said El Guerrouj, " but I had not yet completely recovered from the race in Brussels, and it was far too cold for me. However, I am very proud to share in the jackpot, not so much for the money but because it proves I am still Hicham El Guerrouj and can win every race I enter."