Muslim Runner Hicham El Guerrouj
...nd 5000 meters at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. Besides his career in athletics El Guerrouj has carried out important work as a UNICEF Good Will ambassador, focusing particularly on the issues of schooling, health nutrition, and development to the benefit of Moroccan children. When he was given the 2004 Prince of Asturias award for sports, he immediately announced that the cash prize would be given to “the most needy” explaining that “the people should benefit from this award”. The award underlined his commitment towards society and towards the young and most needy. El-Guerrouj is a devout Muslim who prays five times a day. El Guerrouj is a Muslim runner, who does not care so much for material things such as money. "I want to be close to the people, to live a simple life. In my country, there are many poor people. You can't be bigger than the others." El-Guerrouj once said. El-Guerrouj is said to be a simple runner who runs for his country, his people, and his flag. During the 1996 ...