18 Days in August, an Olympic Blog

Hicham El Guerrouj - not only did he equal Paavo Nurmi's historic double in the 1500 and 5000 meters, but he did it with incredible style, grit, determination and poise. He had to struggle earlier this year, he lost so shockingly in the last two Olympics and his age was in question; after all this, his elation at his incredible success was all the more moving. Watching him run from the stands and shouting his name as he pushed his wiry frame down the last few stretches past his stunned opponents and on to the finish line, sharing in his joy as he leant down to kiss the ground and clapping for him when he was beaming on the winners' stand are reasons enough for the Olympics to have taken place. Michael Phelps is a great swimmer, and Kostas Kenteris in absence rocked the stadium and dominated the hearts and minds of locals, but for sheer drama, elegance, history-making and pure, unadulterated joy at a fellow human being's happiness, skill and athleticism, Hicham's story cannot be beat.