When it comes to Middle and Long Distance, the whole world looks to the East of Africa. For good reason. The long list of great athletes from Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda is awe-inspiring.
But, in reality, North Africans have historically been as good, if not better, than the athletes from the East. Indeed, in each of the last 6 decades, athletes from Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco have held their own and are, by no means, second fiddle to any.
There are also many arguments about a genetic or physiological advantage in being a middle or long distance runner of East African origin but this can surely not be sustained because over these years, it appears that North African countries have been producing large numbers of elite international athletes too.
Are we now going to search for the genetic advantages of these nations too?
Mohammed Tlili Ben Abdallah, also known as Mohamed Gammoudi, a Tunisian did Africa proud in the Tokyo (1964), Mexico City (1968), and Munich (1972) Olympiads and recorded four medals, including a gold medal in the 5000 metres event in Mexico City. The Tunisian runner was also competitive at 10,000 metres.
Let’s also look at the 1980s. That was the decade of Said Auoita of Morocco. He was the dominant Middle distance runner of that era, winning Gold in the 5000m at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and World Championship in 1987. He held World Records in 1500m, 2000m, 3000m and 5000m. Till date, he is the only man to win medals in 5000m and 800m at the Olympics. A true legend of the sport.
The 1990s gave us Noureddine Morceli, the Algerian Magician. He dominated the 1500m, being crowned World Champion in 1991, 1993 and 1995. He followed this up with Gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He was so good that he held 6 World Records at the same time, including records in 1500, 2000, 3000 and the Mile.
Certainly, runners from North Africa have proved their worth in the endurance races at the highest level. Moroccan Khalid Skah also won the 10,000 metres gold at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.
The 2000s was the era of Tunisia’s favourite son, Hicham El-Guerrouj. Almost 30 years after he set the World Record in the 1500 (1998), no one has come close. He won the Gold in the 1500m and 5000m at the 2004 Athens Olympics – a feat done by only one other person in history. El Guerrouj, nicknamed “The Prince”, was so good that he won either Gold or Silver in 5 consecutive World Championships (1995-2003) and was named World Athlete of the Year on 3 occasions.
The excellent tradition from North Africa has continued in the 2020s with Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco. Specialising in the 3000m Steeplechase, he is twice the Olympic Champion (2020 and 2024). He is also World Champion in 2022 and 2023. What is even significant is that the 3000m Steeplechase has traditionally been dominated by Kenyans, often sweeping all 3 medals at major championships. El Bakkali has put an end to that; and as the 2025 World Championships gets underway, look out for him to reinforce his reputation as the greatest Steeplechase runner in the world.
So while we give credit to East Africa for flying Africa’s banner in Athletics, let us never forget the sterling contributions of our brothers from the North. History tells us that they have been as good as any and deserve more plaudits than they currently get.
References
- ‘The rise of Africa at the World Athletics Championships’. By Yemi Olus-Galadima for World Athletics, July 2023.
- ‘The champions are still alive and active’. Saturday magazine Daily Nation, June 3, 2000
- East African running dominance: what is behind it? British Journal of Medicine, April 2000 authored By Bruce Hamilton
- The Role of Nationality in Ultra-Endurance Sports: The Paradigm of Cross-Country Skiing and Long-Distance Running, Beat Knechtle etal, April 2020.
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Story edited by Kehinde Fagbuaro
