On 22 May 2006, Hicham El Guerrouj closed the book on the most dominant middle-distance career of his era. The Moroccan announced his retirement at a press conference in Casablanca, still holding the 1500m world record and still unbeaten over the distance in the eyes of the sport.
A tearful farewell in Casablanca, two years after his last race
He had not competed since 28 August 2004, when he sealed the Olympic 1500m and 5000m double in Athens. Illness cost him the following season, and a back injury forced him out of the 2006 World Indoor Championships.
At the microphone he was visibly emotional. "I am quitting competition," he told reporters, before framing the moment as a beginning rather than an ending.
86 finals, only three defeats — and a record that still stands
Over a nine-year span he ran 86 finals at major level and lost only three, two of them at the Olympics. He left the track with four consecutive World 1500m titles, world records at 1500m, the mile and 2000m, and a 2004 double not seen since Paavo Nurmi in 1924.
His 1500m mark of 3:26.00, set in Rome in 1998, still headed the record books. It remains unbeaten decades on.
"Today's tears are of joy and not of pain," El Guerrouj said. "I end my career of 19 years officially, in which you and I have lived through many happy moments." IAAF President Lamine Diack called him "a living legend of our sport."
He walked away to spend more time with his family, a champion who chose his own finish line. The demons of Atlanta and Sydney had long since been answered in Athens.
