 | You can helpexpand this article with text translated fromthe corresponding article in French. (May 2024)Click [show] for important translation instructions.
|
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1968-07-10)10 July 1968 (age 57) Constantine, Algeria |
| Height | 162 cm (5 ft 4 in) |
| Weight | 52 kg (115 lb) |
| Sport | |
| Country |  Algeria |
| Sport | Track |
Event(s) | 800 metres and1500 metres |
| Turned pro | 1986 |
| Retired | 1997 |
Medal record | |
Hassiba Boulmerka (Arabic:حسيبة بولمرقة, born 10 July 1968) is a former Algerianmiddle distance athlete. While under threat of death from fanatics, she won Algeria's first Olympic gold medal.
Born inConstantine in northeasternAlgeria, Boulmerka started running seriously at the age of ten,[1] specializing in the800 and1,500 metres. She was successful in national and regional races, although there wasn't much competition.[citation needed] Her first major international tournament was the1988 Summer Olympics inSeoul, where she was eliminated in the preliminary heat of both the 800 and 1,500 m.
Boulmerka's performances slowly became better, and her big breakthrough came in 1991. The first major race she won was the 800 m at theGolden Gala race inRome. A month later, she competed at theWorld Championships. On the last straight of the 1500 m final, shesprinted to victory, becoming the first African woman to win anathletics world title.
Her performance did not only give her positive attention. She was frequently criticized by Muslim groups in Algeria who thought she showed too much of her body when racing. Boulmerka receiveddeath threats[1] and was forced to move to Europe to train. In spite of this, she was one of the favourites for the 1500 mgold medal at the1992 Barcelona Olympics. In the final, she fought offLyudmila Rogachova andQu Yunxia (world record holder until 2015) for the gold medal. It was Algeria's first gold medal at the Olympic Games.
Boulmerka's next two seasons were not as successful, although she won a bronze medal at the1993 World Championships inStuttgart. In 1995, she hadn't won a single race going into theWorld Championships inGothenburg, but this did not prevent her from winning her secondworld title. It was her only victory of that season, and her last major victory. She competed at theCentennial Olympics inAtlanta, but sprained her ankle in the semi-finals. After the 1997 season, in which she did not defend her world title, she retired from sport.
Boulmerka was later elected to the Athletes' Commission of theInternational Olympic Committee.[2]
She formerly held the 1,500 metresAfrican record with her time of 3:55.30 run on 8 August 1992 inBarcelona. She also held theone mile African record of 4:20.79, set in 1991 in Oslo, for 17 years until it was beaten byGelete Burika of Ethiopia, who timed 4:18.23 in 2008.[3]
Boulmerka has returned to Algeria and is now a businesswoman.[1]
|
African Champions in women's800 metres | |
|---|---|
|
African Champions in women's1500 metres | |
|---|---|
|
