Mohamed Attaoui He finished fifth in the 800 metres at the Paris Games, which is another step forward in his career, an experience to continue progressing. He is only 22 years old (23 in September) and managed to sneak into the chosen ones in a Very complicated and high-level test.
The Cantabrian was not happy with the semi-finals, but because he had not been good tactically and the 800m is unforgiving. He went through times. He felt he had the strength to do more. In the final, he was calm, without much display when his name was called. He started to get to his place and continued beyond, almost to the middle of the 100-meter straight. He shook hands with the Algerian Sedjati and got ready. He started at the back and only when the 400m was approaching did he gain positions. He remained in the middle of the group, which the Kenyan had stretched out. Emmanuel Wanyonyithe silver medallist at the last World Championships in Budapest. Attaoui was confident of his good finish and when he pushed hard in the final stretch he managed to finish fifth, while the African held off the Canadian’s push. Marco Arop and held on to take the gold. Bronze went to Sedjati. There was a lot of running involved. The Spaniard clocked a great time of 1:42.08, close to the 1:42.04 with which he recently set the new Spanish record. The winner flew in 1:41.19, the best time of his life.
A life change
Attaoui was born in Morocco and at the age of six he arrived in Spain, where his father was already (he would later die). They settled in Torrelavega. His career as an athlete has taken a turn since the end of last year, when signed for On Running, the Swiss brand in which Roger Federer has invested. Training groups are formed in America, Oceania and Europe, where he and the also Spanish woman are Marta Garciawho at these Games has broken the Spanish record of 1,500. His coach is the German Thomas Dreissigacker and now his life is spent between training camps in Saint Moritz when it is hot, and in South Africa in winter. As soon as he can, of course, he escapes to Torrelavega. In the last year his growth has been extraordinary and this final is another step forward.
