Hicham El Guerrouj takes his second Olympic gold in Athens (© Getty Images)
Rabat, MorrocoThe World and Olympic champion Hicham El Guerrouj is torn between taking his retirement and continuing his sports career declaring that the "past pressure" is still there.
"I have made many sacrifices, I have always considered myself like a soldier serving for my homeland, I have offered to my country Olympic and World medals, I have smashed records", confided El Guerrouj during a press conference held on Wednesday in Rabat with the CNOM (communication commission of the Moroccan National Olympic Committee).
"I wasn't interested by money, just as long I could enjoy myself and feel proud like one feels when competing, and by representing the colours of my country and satisfying the Moroccan people" he said. However he mentioned that it hasn't always been very easy. "I have had to endure a lot of pressure and frustrations due to defeats and injuries" revealed El Guerrouj.
The 28 August 2004 was a turning point in the career of El Guerrouj as it was the day when he won the 5000m gold medal at the Olympic Games in Athens, just a few days after he'd won the 1500m.
"That day I freed myself from this horrible pressure. I could rest and devote myself to my family for 1 year. But that didn't stop me to feel the after effects of that competition, when I started training again and decided to return on the track" he added.
"Today I am hesitating between retiring and carrying on my career, especially as nobody is encouraging me to do so like in the past. Even around me, nobody is pushing me and the majority is advising me to put an end to my career/to retire.”
"Nevertheless I regularly continue training and I will let time decide my future," El Guerrouj concluded.
Mohammed Benchrif for the IAAF