Ramzi takes military steps to greatness

MonteCarloIt was at the end of 2001 that the then out of work 21 year-old Rashid Ramzi who was living in the small Moroccan town of Safi, received the most influential telephone call of his life.

Junior talent

At the time Ramzi was a very promising runner and had been part of the Moroccan national junior development plan towards the end of the 1990’s. Most significantly in Tunis in 1999 he displayed his growing talent in the African Junior Championships where he took the silver medal in the 1500m (3:47.13) behind Kenyan Peter Kipkoech (3:45.81).

Economic reality

Yet while athletically life was improving, Ramzi was having to face up to the uncomfortable reality that he was living on the breadline. There was no consistent work available to him, and as he moved out of the junior age group it seemed impossible for him to make a living and continue his running at a high level.

Then in late 2001 came an extraordinary offer by telephone from a former friend from his home town, who a few years before had moved to the Gulf state of Bahrain to seek employment. Basically, as Ramzi recounted the friend told him, “come to Bahrain. Here there are a lot of possibilities for work and if you join the military service, as well as the regular pay you can train in the best conditions provided by the military’s own sports team.”

Ramzi jumped at the chance, and by the end of the year he was in Bahrain earning approximately 750US dollars a month. Also, as is automatic for all foreigners who join the armed forces of Bahrain he was given a Bahraini passport and immediate citizenship.

Now 23 years of age Ramzi still also retains a Moroccan passport, confirming that “you keep this for life,” whatever other passports you acquire.

“I moved to Bahrain under my own economic motivation. There was no approach from the Government, it was my personal private choice which only came after the advice my friend gave me. I was desperate to find a way to live.”

But “I am a Moroccan, as I was born a Moroccan,” is Ramzi’s honest reply to the question of where his heart remains.

Boulami is the coach

Now a corporal, Ramzi has been coached since 2001 by Khalid Boulami, the Moroccan 5000m runner who won two World championship silver medals (1995 & 1997) and an Olympic bronze (1996) during his distinguished career.

Boulami has since followed Ramzi to Bahrain and is now their Head Coach, and so training contact is now quite easy between them. On a yearly basis, Ramzi lives in Bahrain for the months of September and October and January, while the rest of the time he is either travelling or training in Morocco (as it is too hot in Bahrain). Ramzi’s training group includes the Bahraini M. Abdelhak Zakari and the Moroccan Abderrahim Goumri, who are both 5000m runners of note from the world’s top-50 last year.

Hicham and Wilson are heroes

So what about Hicham El Guerrouj? After all only two hours before this interview was taken Ramzi had beaten his former compatriot the quadruple World 1500m champion into 8th place in Rome.

“When Hicham lost in the Sydney Olympics it hurt me to see him beaten. I felt down about it as I had really wanted him to win the gold. But today, it is different. When it becomes a physical and mental business of racing yourself it changes how you think. It is my time to win now. So when I won today I was happy.”

As a 12 year-old Ramzi had been given a photograph of Hicham El Guerrouj and ever since he has idolized him. His bedroom wall in the family home in Safi in Morocco is covered with posters of his 1500m hero. But for 800m, the World record holder, Kenyan born Dane Wilson Kipketer was just as much an inspiration to the young Ramzi.

Marriage after Athens

Ramzi has two brothers and two sisters, and is engaged to be married, as is signified by the wedding ring which at the moment he wears on his right hand. As per tradition the ring will move on to his left hand when the ceremony has taken place. And when will that be?  “After the Olympics, I hope,” confirms Ramzi.

Asian Championships win over Shaheen

Ramzi who could not take part in last year’s World championships because of a strain to the calf muscle on his right leg, took some much needed encouragement later in 2003. At the Asian Championships in Manila, the Philippines on 21 September, he out-sprinted World champion steeplechaser Saif Saaeed Shaheen for victory at 1500m (3:41.66).

“After the Asian Games win over Shaheen I knew I could do well as an international runner,” confirms Ramzi, who sees that win as the turning point in his development as a runner.

3:37 in 2003?

Though the world’s statisticians have Ramzi’s personal best at the start of 2004 as his 3:39.30 with which he won in Rabat on 31 May 2003, Ramzi also divulged that in a small local meet in Rabat earlier that month he had actually recorded 3:37.26 but frustratingly he could not remember the actual date of the race.

World Indoor silver

Whether that time is counted as an official or unofficial personal best in future is for others to argue but whatever the outcome there is no doubting Ramzi’s racing brain and tactical awareness. He showed his international promise on the indoor boards this winter taking a marvellous silver medal (1:46.15 – Indoor Area record) over 800m at the World Indoor championships in Budapest behind South Africa’s Mbulaeni Mulaudzi (1:45.71).

Prior to Rome on the 24 June, Ramzi sped to an impressive 3:31.87 clocking to win in Alger at the African Athletic Confederation circuit meet. Though reported on the IAAF internet, the performance made surprisingly few headlines worldwide considering it established a new world season’s 1500m lead.

Yet it wasn’t to matter because international recognition soon followed thanks to his 3:30.25 Area record win in Rome last Friday (2 July).

Great tactical awareness

What about his tactics in that race where he stayed behind the big names for most of the outing.

“I wanted them in front of me, so I knew where they were coming from when they attacked.”

“All the best runners were here (in Rome), so it was very important to come and see who I would face in Athens,” confirmed Ramzi.

The road to Athens and greatness

On his path to those Olympics in the Greek capital, Ramzi intends to pass through 1500m in Stockholm (27 July), a Mile in London (30 July) and a 1500m in Zurich (6 August). An 800m was also on the plans for last night in Lausanne but that was scratched from the schedule on Monday.

But why the Mile race in London?

“I have never run a Mile before and as most of the great names have run this distance I also have an interest to do so.”

On present form Ramzi looks set not only to run a Mile but also to join that list of great names this season.

Chris Turner
IAAF Editorial Manager