Morocco's El-Guerrouj Shatters 2,000-m World Record

Moroccan track and field star Hicham El-Guerrouj shattered Tuesday the 2,000 m world record at the Berlin athletics meet, part of the IAAF Grand Prix and Golden League. El-Guerrouj, holder of the 1,500 m and the mile records, covered the 2000 m race in 4:44.79, lowering by three seconds the former world record which has been held for four years by Algerian Noureddine Morceli.

El-Guerrouj, who was awarded the excellence prize of President Abdou Diouf of Senegal, ends his season with three world records.

Ali Ezzine, another Moroccan who took part in the Berlin meet, grabbed the 3000m steeplechase while his countrywomen, runners Nezha Bedouane and Zahra Ouaziz, finished second respectively in the 400-m hurdles and 5000m.