Hicham El Guerrouj in his 1500m semi final (© Getty Images)
Double Olympic champion Hicham El Guerrouj will act as the Ambassador of the International Meeting of Brazzaville, Congo which will be held on Sunday 27 May, the African Athletics Confederation (CAA) announced.
El Guerrouj who won an unprecedented four World Championships gold medals at 1500m will share his technical and practical knowledge with local youngsters. Last year, his compatriot Nezha Bidouane, two-time World champion at 400m hurdles, had acted as the Ambassador of the event which had gathered no fewer than 40,000 spectators.
Athletics in Congo has benefited from the facilities inherited from the 14th African Championships which were held in Brazzaville in 2004 and had led to many youngsters taking up the sport.
This year the CAA encouraged the meeting organizers to purchase electronic timing equipment so as to further develop the interest in athletics in Congo. With the support of the national federation, a training centre for youths and juniors was also created in 2005.
The Brazzaville meeting is also supported by several sponsors and every athlete finishing in the top four will be presented with prize money (2500$ for first place, 2000$ for second, 1000 for third and 500 for fourth).
Aziz Daouda, the meeting Technical Director, announced that athletes representing 25 nations will compete in Brazzaville with former Olympic and World Steeplechase champion Reuben Kosgei among the stars of the competition.
14 events will be held
Men: 100m, 200m, 400m, 1500m, 3000m Steeplechase, 400m Hurdles, Long Jump and Discus Throw
Women: 100m, 200m, 400m, 1500m, 400m Hurdles, Triple Jump and Shot Put
Mohammed Benchrif for the IAAF