Mr and Mrs Hicham El Guerrouj (© Agence Parade - Morocco)
Rabat Fourtime World 1500m champion Hicham El Guerrouj has become a father of baby girl today.
El Guerrouj's wife Najoua Lahbil has given birth to a little girl this morning in a private hospital in the outskirts of Rabat.
The baby will be christened next Thursday in Rabat, where the parents of Hicham El Guerrouj reside.
El Guerrouj will make his season debut in his specialty at the Reunion Internacional de Atletismo Gobierno de Aragon in Zaragoza, Spain on Tuesday 8 June.
The World record holder in the 1500m and the Mile was initially slated to make his outdoor debut at the FBK Games in Hengelo, Netherlands last Monday, but withdrew after inclement weather in Morocco halted his training.
The 29-year-old Moroccan, who also took silver at 5000m at last year's IAAF World Championships, has raced only once in 2004, winning the 3000m at the Gaz de France du Pas-de-Calais meet on 28 February.
In 2003 El Guerrouj was named Moroccan sportsman of the year for the seventh consecutive time and IAAF World Athlete of the Year for the third consecutive year.
Despite all his World gold medals and World records, El Guerrouj is still chasing an Olympic title.
“I will put all my energy into conquering not only the 1500m but also the 5000m Olympic title in Athens.”
El Guerrouj is also schedule to contest the 1500 at the Athletissima Super Grand Prix in Lausanne, Switzerland on 6 July.
Mohammed Benchrif for the IAAF