Morocco's El Guerrouj Olympic champion

Morocco's Hicham El Guerrouj won in Athens Tuesday an Olympic title in the 1500m race after two failed attempts in Sydney and Atlanta.

The four-time world champion run the distance in 3:34:18, ahead of Kenyan Bernard Lagat (3:34.30) and Portuguese Rui Silva (3:34.68).

His compatriot Adil Al Kaouch ended 9th timing 3:38:26.

El Gerrouj said he dedicates his victory to king Mohammed VI and all the Moroccan people.

This gold medal is Morocco's first in the 1500m race, and fifth in other Olympic competitions after the titles of Said Aouita in 5000m, and Nawal El Moutawakil (400m hurdles) in 1984 in Los Angeles, Brahim Boutayeb (10.000m) in 1988 in Seoul and Khalid Skah (10.000m) in 1992 in Barcelona.

King Mohammed VI congratulated El Guerrouj Tuesday in a phone call for his victory. On Monday, he also addressed a congratulation message to Hasna Benhassi who gave Morocco the first medal (silver) in Athens games.