Hassiba Boulmerka Defies Death Threats
How the Algerian runner's success made her a political opponent for extremists
Sporting Witness · BBC World Service
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Show Notes
In 1992, the Algerian runner, Hassiba Boulmerka, won gold in the women's 1500m at the Barcelona Olympics.
Before the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, her success had made her a political opponent for extremists. An imam had told her that running in shorts was anti-Islam. "My image didn't fit in at all with their ideology," is how she describes it. She was forced to do all her training abroad.
She defied death threats from Islamist extremists to win one of the best women's middle-distance races of all time.
"This victory reignited a sense of patriotism in the hearts of the Algerian people... It showed that you should fight for things. That you should have courage."
Chloe Arnold talks to Hassiba Boulmerka for Sporting Witness.
This programme broadcast in February 2012.
Picture: Hassiba Boulmerka celebrates her gold. Credit: AFP