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Confident El Guerrouj sets sights on gold
SYDNEY, Sept 27 (AFP) - Morocco's 1,500 metres great Hicham El Guerrouj has his sights firmly fixed on the gold after he cruised into the final here on Wednesday night. "I have dreamt of winning the gold for six years and now it is almost a reality. It is going to be a Moroccan one-two without a shadow of a doubt," he announced, giving his team-mate Youssef Baba the silver. He also got a lift when the King of Morocco called him earlier in the day. "I have good motivation. The King of Morocco telephoned me today to give me encouragement. I want to win the final in front of 110,000 people," he said. He also wants to forget the nightmare in Atlanta four years ago when he was spiked and finished 12th when he looked to be a sure-fire bet for the gold. El Guerrouj was aided by the shock exit of arch-rival Nourredine Morceli. The Algerian was bumped out of his semi-final when he was clipped and thrown off his stride. He pulled up 80 meters from the end and could only watch in despair as Noah Ngeny of Kenya ran home to win the race. "Obviously I was spiked," said Morceli, who announced it had been his last 1,500m race. "I am depressed as I did not come here just to run. I came expecting a medal. But these things happen, it is just part of sport. " "This was my last 1,500m ever. Next year I am going to go for the 5,000m and if that does not work out then I will retire," he said. El Guerrouj said he was sorry about Morceli's fate. "It was unfortunate. I am sorry for him," he said. Ngeny remains quietly confident about his medal chance. "My race went well. It all went to plan," he said. Canada's Kevin Sullivan boosted his medal hopes when he easily made the final. "I've been waiting for this opportunity. I'll give it everything," he said.
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