Athletics: El-Guerrouj's Choice as Athlete of the Year, an honor for Africa (IAAF chief)

The choice of Hicham El-Guerrouj, Morocco's field and track star, as the world's athlete of the year, is an honor not only for Morocco but for Africa at large, said Lamine Diack (Senegal), President of IAAF (world athletics governing body).

El-Guerrouj deserves his title in view the performances he recorded throughout the year, Diack told MAP news agency.

El-Guerrouj was crowned Sunday on top of ten world athletes.

Holder of four world records, El-Guerrouj is world champion on 1500 m (in-door and out-door).

Another Moroccan, Brahim Boulami, world recordman of the 3000 m steeple chase, was among the top ten.