MOROCCO: OLYMPICS - Moroccan runner Hasna Ben Hassi going for gold at forthcoming Olympic Games in Beijing

Record ID: 329321

  • Title: MOROCCO: OLYMPICS - Moroccan runner Hasna Ben Hassi going for gold at forthcoming Olympic Games in Beijing
  • Date: 10th June 2008
  • Summary: ( (MER1) IFRANE, ATLAS MOUNTAINS, MOROCCO (RECENT- MAY 5, 2008) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF MOROCCAN FOOTBALL TEAM'S MASCOT, THE IFRANE LION (2 SHOTS) VARIOUS OF LAKE AND HOUSES IN IFRANE PAN: THE IFRANE ATHLETICS STADIUM
  • Embargoed: 25th June 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Morocco
  • Country: Morocco
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA2LGYGV0OGWXH6P7IJM8WOOAJ0
  • Story Text: Saudi Arabia's Asian long jump record holder, Mohammed Salman al Khuwalidi, eyes gold medal at this summer's Olympics in China.
    With two bronze medals, one silver and a gold under his belt, Saudi Arabia's Mohammed Salman al Khuwalidi is eying a gold medal in the upcoming Beijing Olympics.
    The 26-year-old star long jumper has been vigourously training with Algerian coach Mahfouz Bou Housh in the hope of adding an Olympic title to his four international athletics championship wins.
    Bou Housh has every confidence in the athlete's capabilities.
    ''Mohammed's speciality, if we consider the physical aspect, is as a strong and fast athlete. He is an athlete with an extensive background in long jump. He is a disciplined athlete in training and he has recently started to dedicate his efforts towards one goal and that is the Olympic games in Beijing,'' said Bou Housh.
    Ten Saudi athletes will compete in Beijing this August, amongst them sprinters and long jumpers who have garnered impressive results throughout their careers. And with the Saudi Athletics Federation pulling at every stop to ensure their preparedness, a spot on the podium may not be so impossible.
    ''Any trainer in the world would hope that his athleteup on the podium at first prize which is a medal at the olympics or any world competition. This is our hope as athletes and coaches,'' said Bou Housh.
    Competing on the international front has been in al Khuwalidi's mind since childhood. He recalls moments when he sat glued to the television, watching the world's best compete and hoping he would one day hold the same spot.
    ''Ever since I was a little boy I was passionate about sports. When I used to watch world champions on television, I would ask myself if I could ever reach that level? It was a big question. Thank God, I have reached that level and I will try and maintain this level and God Willing, out do them. I will do my best to achieve it,'' said al Khuwalidi.
    Al Khuwalidi came first in the 2004 Asian Indoor championships, second in the 2006 World Athletics Final and third in the 2006 World Cup and the 2008 World Indoor Championships. He currently owns the Asian long-jump record of
    48 meters. His goal is to raise the Saudi flag at the upcoming Olympics.
    ''Of course Mohammed Salman dreams of lifting his flag in Beijing and any other international contests, especially Beijing which is the greatest tournament. I hope I will lift it. It is a great dream and God Willing I will achieve it. It's not impossible,'' said al Khuwalidi.
    The long jump world record has not been broken since 1991 when American athlete Mike Powell jumped 8.95 meters in Japan.
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