Two-time Olympic gold medallist Hicham El Guerrouj, widely considered as the greatest middle-distance runner of all time, is featured in an all new episode of the Olympic Channel original series Legends Live On.
Beyond the spotlight of the Olympic Games where legends are made, the legacy of Olympians live on. In Legends Live On, Olympic heroes show how they are translating their success into careers and inspiring future generations.
Dominating middle distance running for nearly a decade, the Moroccan won all but three races in the mile and 1500m events between August 1996 and July 2004 solidifying his status as a track legend. Still the world record holder in the 1500m, mile and 5000m, El Guerrouj’s Olympic career got off to a rocky start. After heart-breaking performances at the Atlanta and Sydney Games, he finally realised his dream of winning a gold medal at Athens 2004 where he earned gold in both the 1500m and 5000m, and is only the second man to do so at the same Olympic Games since “Flying Finn” Paavo Nurmi in 1924.
Now retired from competitive running, El Guerrouj dedicates his time as an ambassador for sports and toward humanitarian activities which promote the positive effects of sport in society in his home country and around the world. He has also participated in cultural and sport programmes supported by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the International Olympic Committee Athlete’s Commission and the United Nations.
In addition to El Guerrouj, Olympic legends featured in the current season of Legends Live On include gold medallist Edgar Grospiron, the French freestyle skier turned motivational speaker; alpine skier Tina Maze (SLO), a double gold medallist who is also a pop culture icon in her home country; fencer Valentina Vezzali (ITA), a six time gold medallist and politician; and artistic gymnast Svetlana Khorkina (RUS), one of Russia’s most successful gymnasts of all time who is now a driving force at a sports club in Moscow.
The premiere season of Legends Live On features Olympic heroes such as Manuela Di Centa (ITA), Nadia Comaneci (ROU), Ian Thorpe (AUS), Shaun White (USA) and Katarina Witt (GER).
