El Guerrouj Clings to 1,500

Moroccan athlete Hicham El Guerrouj said he will continue running the 1,500 meters, after having announced earlier he will be shifting to the 5,000.

El Guerrouj told MAP "I have taken an irreversible decision never to give up the 1,500. I'm still at the top and I feel capable of doing better.."

El Guerrouj, holder of the world record at the 1,500 also won the gold medal in the 1,500 at the world championships at Edmonton, Alberta, in August.

The Moroccan athletics star also promised to "take the Olympic 1,500 title no matter what it takes," "Even if I'm 34 years old."

El Guerrouj also plans to start the season with some indoor meets before going to the Golden League contests. He will also be running his first 5,000 m probably in Zurich and does not rule the 3,000 m.

For the moment, he went on, my participation in next summer's world athletics cup in Madrid is ruled out.