- TAOUFIK MAKHLOUFI
Algeria’s Makhloufi came to the Rio Games as the defending champion in the men’s 1500m, but even though he didn’t retain his title from London 2012, the middle distance runner ensured that he did not return home empty handed.
The 28-year old was Algeria’s only medallist at the Games, and has been the country’s sole Olympic medallist since 2008. At the recently concluded Rio Olympic Games, Makhloufi mounted the podium twice.
He first won a Silver medal behind World Record (WR) holder David Rudisha in the men’s 800m final, racing to a new Personal Best (PB) and Algerian Record of 1:42:61, which propelled him to the 2nd spot on the 2016 world rankings.
A few days later he dug deep to add another Silver in the 1500m, finishing 2nd to USA’s Matthew Centrowitz who stunned World Leader Asbel Kiprop to win the event. In retrospect, perhaps Makhloufi would be wishing that he had focused his energies towards winning GOLD in either event.
The former African Champion demonstrated his spirit of sportsmanship by giving one of his Silver medals to teammate Larbi Bourrada, who put up an impressive performance to finish 5th in the men’s Decathlon. What a commendable gesture from the North African!
#1 Almaz Ayana