Born: 15 April 1962

Birthplace: Casablanca (Morocco)

Nationality: Morocco

Sport: Athletics

ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

Los Angeles 1984

AWARDS

Olympic medals:

Gold: 1

Other results:

African Championships

Gold: 5 (82,84,85)

Silver: 1 (82)

Morocco's Breakthrough Winner

The 400m hurdles for women was introduced to the Olympic programme in 1984. In the final, Nawal El Moutawakel ran the race of her life, leading from start to finish and improving her personal best by 0.76 seconds. She was the first woman from an Islamic nation to win an Olympic medal and the first Moroccan athlete of either sex to win a gold medal. Back in her hometown of Casablanca, her final was televised live at 2 a.m. When she crossed the finish line in first place and took her victory lap carrying a huge Moroccan flag, people in Casablanca poured into the streets to celebrate. In 1998, El Moutawakel was chosen to be a member of the International Olympic Committee.