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2012-08-08
Maghreb runners win Olympic medals
By Abdou Tajeddine for Magharebia in Algiers – 08/08/12
Algerian Taoufik Makhloufi on Tuesday (August 7th) became the first Maghreb athlete to earn gold at the London Olympics by winning in the men's 1500m race. Moroccan Abdalaati Iguider took home the bronze.
Makhloufi clocked 03:34:08 minutes, followed by Leonel Manzano of the US (3:34:79) and Iguider (03:35:13).
The 24-year-old African champion is not only the first Maghreb winner at the Games but the first Arab gold medallist at the tournament.
![[AFP/Adrian Dennis] Algerian Taoufik Makhloufi (left) took home the first gold medal of any Arab athlete at the London Games.](/awi/images/2012/08/08/120808Feature1Photo1-650_429.jpg)
![[AFP/Gabriel Bouys] "It is important that the decoration remained with the Maghreb: Morocco and Algeria were present at the podium," says Moroccan runner Abdalaati Iguider.](/awi/images/2012/08/08/120808Feature1Photo2-650_429.jpg)
He participated in the race after being reinstated by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF). Makhloufi was cut from the Games for "failure to compete honestly with bona fide effort" in the 800m heat on Monday. The IAAF reversed its decision after learning that Makhloufi, who was recovering from a knee injury, had not expected to compete in the event.
The athlete sped like an arrow 300 metres before the finish line, leaving all the runners behind him in a scene that showed the strength and control of Maghreb sportsmen in the middle-distance races.
"I am very happy with the gold medal and I dedicate it to Algerians, Arabs and Muslims," he told Al Jazeera Sports after the decoration ceremony. "Algerians deserve this joy. We have demonstrated through this success that Algeria has top athletes, especially in mid-distances and is still present at this level of the competition. As far as I am concerned, I thank all those who helped me and stood by my side. I do not intend to stop at this achievement, but I look forward to even greater achievements in the future."
Regarding his disqualification, he said, "The first decision didn't affect me, as I was sure of participating because I actually pulled out of the race by virtue of an injury. I am a person who believes in fate; I have consequently participated and won the gold and I am very happy, especially as it is the first medal for Algeria during these Games."
For his part, Iguider told Al Jazeera Sports, "It is important that the decoration remained with the Maghreb: Morocco and Algeria were present at the podium."
Former Moroccan track and field champion Said Aouita, who now works as an analyst for Al Jazeera Sports, congratulated the winners.
"I am very happy that Makhloufi was decorated. This reminds me of my dear friend, Noureddine Morceli," he said. "Makhloufi has great potential and his strength lies in his speed and his ability to change pace. He proved to be a great champion, and congratulations to the Arabs for this achievement made by Makhloufi and also by Iguider."
Morceli, the king of middle distances in the nineties, took home gold in 1996 at the Atlanta Games.
The Algerian win in the 1500m distance came as a surprise, according to El Khabar journalist Rafik Ouahid, since Makhloufi is stronger in shorter-distance races.
"He was a star during the playoffs and attracted the attention of everyone including the Algerians and reminded us of hero Noureddine Morceli," the Algerian journalist commented. "In my opinion, the gold of Makhloufi has great value, especially since it is the first for Algeria and saves its participation. London was going to look like Athens 2004, where Algeria failed to win a single medal."
Algeria hasn't earned Olympic gold since 2000, which makes the medal "even more valuable", according to Ouahid. Nouria Benida Merah snatched gold for Algeria in the 1500m race in Sydney.
"It can be said that the gold of Makhloufi and the bronze of Iguider save the face of Arab and Maghreb participation in the Olympics," Ouahid added. "We must appreciate that and work toward having other heroes in other sports because Arabs can achieve this in several sports."
Sport fans stayed glued to TV screens to watch the final race, even though it coincided with iftar. While some followed the tournament at home, others packed cafes to share excitement with fellow fans.
In a café in the Algiers suburb of Bab Ezzouar, an old man was beyond himself after the win. Ammi Brahim paid for the drinks and food of everyone present.
"I was very pessimistic, especially since Arab athletes failed to win a gold medal to that point," said merchant Rachid Hammadi. "But my concerns disappeared after I saw runner Makhloufi starting like an arrow in the race accompanied by Moroccan Iguider."
Thirty-five-year old Ouail Bachir said he was very happy with the Olympic victories. "They have honoured Algeria and Morocco, and the entire Arab region," he said.
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POST YOUR COMMENT 16
mayssa 2012-8-21
When El Mellouli won, you said he is Tunisian. When the Algerian won, you said he was Maghreb. We are Algerians only. I hope to find a channel which seeks the truth and honesty about Algeria and Algerians. When we do something good you say well done, keep it up! When we are wrong you should criticise us with the same love and constructive way not with the gloating of enemies!
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Fan 2012-8-18
I am an athlete and a fan of Toufik Makhloufi! What an athlete! His style is fascinating. He seems to run with such ease and with such elegance! Bravo to this artist! He is a champion in the footsteps of Nordine, Hassiba and all the others whose names are now written in glowing letters in the stars of the strong and generous Algerian people’s Milky Way. Thank God! God protect Toufik, the Algerian people and Algeria.
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Larbi 2012-8-17
To Zenjari – Regarding these imaginary gold medals, come back to reality! Our leaders are not plugged in to the interests of their peoples or to what makes men great, of which sport (without manipulation by politics and money) is one of the best expressions. Our leaders are entirely absorbed by the work of enslaving, brutalising and exploiting their people and trying to dominate other non-Arabs! These puppets are enslaved to hegemonic interests, who are shameless subcontractors to daemonic projects of the devastation of the Arab peoples in order to impede their inevitable march toward progress. The petrodollars and petroeuros mobilised for this devastating plan greatly surpass what would be needed for the accelerated development of all the Arab states concerned. The Arab petrodollars and petroeuros are a tool of destruction, not of development and only profit the enemies of the enemies of the Arab peoples! It is cursed money! These leaders have been overwhelmed lately in Libya, Syria and the Sahel. Their agenda is overloaded. Doing the job for the masters of the world and obeying each of their injunctions or, rather, whims does not leave time to think. Of course, there are the UN, the NGOs, the media, the “experts” and the damned, crooked religious people – all do a good part of the job, but anyway … So, the Arab peoples must mind their leaders and explain to them how to represent with dignity a people, without whom there would be no throne, no power, no privileges and no possibility of abusing them like they do!!! And, moreover, they must explain to them that the domination of the free, non-Arab peoples is an era that is forever done with! The time has thus will come for dignity, the Olympic gold of the Arabs!
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ben nasr 2012-8-17
Oussama Mellouli and Habiba Ghribi were the first people from the Maghreb to receive medals and they were made in Tunisia !!
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L' Africain 2012-8-16
Very warm congratulations to Toufik Makhloufi for the well-deserved gold medal!!! He is a superb athlete who is yet going to climb many more podiums, God willing. This is a beautiful victory for Algeria, the mother of so many heroes, and a victory for Africa, whose children have extraordinary potential, but only rarely manage to get on the podium because they are overly penalised by the overly great inequality of their situations. The African athletes who move forward do so in spite of everything. All of them are really exceptional athletes, who deserve to be celebrated for their true value. Bravo! Bravo a thousand times over for you, Toufik! God protect you in your career and your next competition, God willing!
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احمد 2012-8-15
This is an Algerian not Maghreb runner.
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algerienne 2012-8-15
Bravo Toufik Makhloufi and be blessed for the honour and the joy that your magnificent victory brought your people during this holy month of Ramadan! I salute you and your family, who hoisted you to this victory and against everything to the very crown of the highest summit!
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zenjari 2012-8-14
Congratulations to the Arab people.
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KradiAdil 2012-8-13
We wish to all Arabs success in the sport events despite what we have seen in London Olympics, Arabs have nothing to do with sport compared to other countries. Wish success to Arab brothers, God willing!
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Arys 2012-8-13
They say that a verbal slip is a Freudian slip. What is he talking about, the Games or the fast? In either case, the words are empty. “The main thing is to take part in the “jeunx” with rigour, honesty and dignity. … Olympic sports are far from any scheming, cheating or doping.” The main thing is surely elsewhere. What subliminal message is he trying to sneak in and towards whom? If you think clearly, you articulate clearly! Let us have some courage, Devil take it!
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Algerien de Soukahras 2012-8-11
The dates of the Olympic Games are blatantly discriminatory against the Muslim athletes, but in spite of this fact, our athletes have given their very best and we are infinitely appreciative of them. Makhloufi Toufik’s vitory is great in every respect. His climbing the podium was a symbolic moment of such great emotion for the Algerian people, who are accustomed to conquering and who are relentless and uncompromising. Dear Toufik, thank you for these exceptional moments, which you have given us. You will remain in our hears and memories for eternity. We salute you, O’ champion, and we salute all your loved ones!
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Kheirdine 2012-8-11
Long live the great Algeria, which has given giants to Africa, a martyred land, whose future is radiant! The best is still to come, God willing! Long live the Africans! Long live Toufik Makhloufi!!! We wish him many more victories! At age 24, he has such potential. His life is before him. God protect him! His profile will continue to light the path for the cadets like him, who himself walked in the footsteps of his ancestors like Nouredine Morsli, the magnificent! These are the immortals of the Algerian people, who have defied the impossible and triumphed. They are the worthy sons of Tamazgha. May God bless the stars of our unique people and Algeria! Thank you, Toufik, for giving your loved ones so much pride, so much happiness and, most especially, so much confidence in themselves and hope in a better, more just, more human, more beautiful world in your image!!!
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sofainetalha 2012-8-10
May God protect him and protect his parents! He made us happy, may God make him happy and grant him what he wants.
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IL Pueblo 2012-8-10
VivaTOUFIK MAKHLOUFI!!!! Viva Algeria!!!
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Mohamed EL BAKI 2012-8-9
The main thing is to take part in the games rigorously, honestly and in a dignified way. Olympc sport must be far from any scheming, cheating or doping.
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Takfarinas 2012-8-9
Toufik Makhloufi is yet another immortal to the people of Algeria! His performance at the Olympic Games in London honoured his people and his sacred land. A thousand thanks to him; to his loves ones, who carried him to the summit; to Soukahras, who gave Algeria so many great men and heroes and martyrs, who have forever marked our history! Thank you, Toufik, you are a star among our stars and light our present and our future! Thank you! God bless you and protect you as well as our eternal Tamazgha. Long live Toufik Makhloufi!!! Long live Algeria!!!
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