Athletics: Morocco's el-Guerrouj crowned athlete of the year

Morocco's Hicham El-Guerrouj, world champ and world recordman on 1500 m, was crowned Sunday Athlete of the Year by at the annual gala hosted in Monaco by the International Athletics Foundation (IAF).

El-Guerrouj, 27, was chosen among 10 world athletes, including another Moroccan, Brahim Boulami, world recordman of the 3000 m steeple chase.

The Prize rewards a 2001 exceptional season for El-Guerrouj, holder of four world records. In 2001, El-Guerrouj won the world in-door championships on 3000 m in Lisbon (Portugal) and the world out-door title on 1500 m in Edmonton (Canada). He also shared the Golden Jackpot with five other athletes and marked the world's second best mark on 1500 m with 3:26.12 just "12 less than his own record of 3:12.00.

El-Guerrouj is the second Arab Athlete to win the title After Algeria's Noureddine Morcelli in 1994. The title was created in 1988.