Nezha Bidouane gives birth to first child
19 August 2002 - World 400m hurdles champion Morocco’s Nezha Bidouane gave birth to her first child on Friday night. The name of the little boy was not communicated to the press. Bidouane had decided to take one year off competition to concentrate on her maternity after 13 years of top level athletics performances which made her the most honoured Moroccan athlete.
Even if she didn’t compete this year, Bidouane remained extremely involved in the sport and helped organise women-only road races. She also actively contributed to the development of the Al Moustakbal Association which ails at supporting relatives and friends of children dying of cancer.
Bidouane will be 33 next 18 September and aims to return to competition for next year’s World Championships in Paris where she will start as the defending champion.
Bidouane will also take part in the 2004 Olympic Games to try and win the only global title missing from her resume.
“After the bronze medal I won in Sydney, I really want gold in Athens. I want to end my career with the best possible result.”
Married to former steeple chaser Abdelaziz Saher, Bidouane is not shy in revealing she sees her future as a coach.
“I want to train young athletes to achieve even more than what I have done in my career,” she says.
