Nawal El Moutawakel
(IOC)
Updated: 2007-07-27 11:02
Los Angeles, 8 August 1984, Games of the XXIII Olympiad. Women's 400m hurdles winner, Nawal EL MOUTAWAKEL raises the Moroccan flag during her lap of honour in the Coliseum. Credit: Getty Images
Born: 15 April 1962
Birthplace: Casablanca (Morocco)
Nationality: Morocco
Sport: Athletics
ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES
Los Angeles 1984
AWARDS
Olympic medals:
Gold: 1
Other results:
African Championships
Gold: 5 (82,84,85)
Silver: 1 (82)
Morocco's Breakthrough Winner
The 400m hurdles for women was introduced to the Olympic programme in 1984. In the final, Nawal El Moutawakel ran the race of her life, leading from start to finish and improving her personal best by 0.76 seconds. She was the first woman from an Islamic nation to win an Olympic medal and the first Moroccan athlete of either sex to win a gold medal. Back in her hometown of Casablanca, her final was televised live at 2 a.m. When she crossed the finish line in first place and took her victory lap carrying a huge Moroccan flag, people in Casablanca poured into the streets to celebrate. In 1998, El Moutawakel was chosen to be a member of the International Olympic Committee.
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