Saïd Aouita facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Said Aouita
سعيد عويطة

Aouita at the 1987 World Championships
Personal information
Nationality	Moroccan
Born	(1959-11-02) 2 November 1959 (age 65) Kenitra, Morocco
Residence	Miami, USA Doha, Qatar
Height	1.76 m
Weight	65 kg
Sport
Sport	Track and field
Event(s)	1500 meters, 3000 meters, 5000 meters
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	800 m: 1:43.86 (Cologne 1988) 1500 m: 3:29.46 (Berlin 1985) Mile: 3:46.76 (Helsinki 1987) 3000 m: 7:29.45 (Cologne 1989) 2-mile: 8:13.45 (Turin 1987) 5000 m: 12:58.39 (Rome 1987) 10,000 m: 27:26.11 (Oslo 1986) 3,000 m steeplechase: 8:21.92 (Latakia 1987)
Medal record Representing  Morocco Men's athletics Olympic Games Gold 1984 Los Angeles 5000 m Bronze 1988 Seoul 800 m World Championships Gold 1987 Rome 5000 m Bronze 1983 Helsinki 1500 m World Indoor Championships Gold 1989 Budapest 3000 m Mediterranean Games Gold 1983 Casablanca 800 m Gold 1983 Casablanca 1500 m Gold 1987 Latakia 1500 m Gold 1987 Latakia 5000 m Silver 1987 Latakia 3000 m steeple

Saïd Aouita (Arabic: سعيد عويطة; born November 2, 1959) is a famous former Moroccan track and field athlete. He is known for being the only athlete ever to win medals in both the 800 meters and 5000 meters at the Olympic Games.

Saïd Aouita won the 5000 meters race at the 1984 Summer Olympics and the 1987 World Championships in Athletics. He also won the 3000 meters at the 1989 IAAF World Indoor Championships. He held several world records in different running distances, including the 1500 m, 2000 m, 3000 m, and 5000 m.

Early Life and Education

Saïd Aouita was born on November 2, 1959, in Kenitra, a city on the coast of Morocco. When he was nine years old, his family moved to Fes because of his father's job. As a child, Saïd loved playing football and dreamed of becoming a great soccer player.

However, his amazing running skills caught the attention of his coaches. They saw a bright future for him in track and field, which includes sports like running, jumping, and throwing. Aouita also studied management and business, earning a bachelor's and a master's degree. He even pursued a higher degree in sports leadership.

A Champion's Running Career

Saïd Aouita began his journey to fame at the 1983 World Championships in Athletics in Helsinki, Finland. He competed in the 1500 m race and won a bronze medal, finishing third. The race started slowly, but he used a powerful sprint at the end to secure his spot.

Olympic Gold in 1984

In 1984, Aouita decided to run the 5000 m race at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. During the race, Antonio Leitão from Portugal led for most of the time. Aouita stayed right behind him. Then, on the very last lap, Aouita sprinted past Leitão to win the gold medal!

Breaking World Records

The year 1985 was amazing for Aouita as he broke two world records. First, he set a new record in the 5000 m race with a time of 13:00.40 in Oslo on July 27. Then, on August 23, he broke the 1500 m world record with a time of 3:29.46.

In 1986, he almost set another world record in the 3000 m, missing it by less than half a second.

More Records and World Championship Wins

In 1987, Aouita aimed to do well at the World Championships in Rome and break more records. He first broke the 2000 m world record in Paris with a time of 4:50.81. Just six days later, he surprised everyone by breaking his own 5000 m world record. He became the first person to run the 5000 m in under 13 minutes, finishing in 12:58.39.

For the 1987 World Championships in Athletics, Aouita chose to only compete in the 5000 m. In the final race, John Ngugi from Kenya set a good pace. Aouita was in control the whole time. Just before the final lap, he made his move, leading a big sprint to the finish line and winning the race.

Olympic Bronze Despite Injury

At the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Aouita tried to race in both the 800 m and 1500 m. However, he had a hamstring injury, which is a muscle strain in the back of the thigh. Despite this, he managed to finish third in the 800 m, earning a bronze medal. He had to withdraw from the 1500 m, even though he had qualified for the semi-final. His bronze medal made him the only athlete in history to win medals in both the 800 m and 5000 m at the Olympics.

Another World Record in 1989

In 1989, Aouita won the 3000 m race at the 1989 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Budapest. Later that year, he broke the world record for the 3000 m in Köln, Germany, with a time of 7:29.45. This made him the first person ever to run the 3000 m in under 7 minutes and 30 seconds.

A Versatile Runner

Aouita was a very versatile runner, meaning he was good at many different distances. He excelled in races from 800 m all the way up to 10,000 m during the 1980s. He often raced against and beat other Olympic champions like Joaquim Cruz (800 m), Peter Rono (1500 m), John Ngugi (5000 m), and Alberto Cova (10000 m) in their best events. From September 1983 to September 1990, he won an amazing 115 out of 119 races!

In the early 1990s, Aouita had surgery on his leg. His doctors advised him to stop running professionally for his health. After a few difficult races, he decided to retire from athletics.

Personal Life and Later Career

Saïd Aouita married Khadija Skhir in 1983, a year before his big win at the 1984 Summer Olympics. They have four children: a son named Adil, and three daughters named Soukaina, Sarah, and Zeena.

After his running career, Aouita worked in sports in different roles. He was a consultant for many sports organizations and a national coach in Morocco and Australia. He used his experience as an athlete and his education to help others. He also worked as a senior analyst for the Al Jazeera Sports channel. In 2009, Aouita started his own sports clothing company.

Aouita is so famous that he was even featured on an Azerbaijani postage stamp.

Aouita on an Azerbaijani postage stamp

Today, Saïd Aouita lives in Orlando, Florida.

International Competitions

World Records Set by Aouita

• 1500 metres – 3:29.46, Berlin, August 23, 1985
• 2000 metres – 4:50.81, Paris, July 16, 1987
• 3000 metres – 7:29.45, Cologne, August 20, 1989
• Two miles – 8:13.45, Turin, May 28, 1987
• 5000 metres – 13:00.40, Oslo, July 22, 1985
• 5000 metres – 12:58.39, Rome, July 27, 1987

Awards and Honors

• Three times winner of the IAAF Grand Prix Final (for 800 m, 1500 m, and 5000 m races).

See also

In Spanish: Saïd Aouita para niños