Brahim Boutayeb

Considered a 5,000 metre runner before 1988, Brahim Boutayeb went to the Seoul Olympics as an unknown. The 10K final at Seoul was started at a very fast pace, pushed along mostly by Kenyans Kipkemboi Kimeli and Moses Tanui. A small lead group reached the halfway mark at world record pace, at which point Boutayeb moved to lead. He continued the race at world record pace, but deliberately slowed after the bell to finish in a world's then-fourth fastest time of 27:21.46. After the Olympic Games Boutayeb decided to concentrate again on shorter distances, running his personal bests in distances from 1,500 to 5,000 metres over the next few seasons and winning a bronze medal in the 5K at the 1991 World Championships. At the 1992 Olympics, Boutayeb placed fourth in the 5,000. After being eliminated in his heat of the 5,000 at the 1993 World Championships, Boutayeb gave up the competitive athletics to concentrate on his new sporting interest as a rally driver.

Personal Bests: 5000 – 13:10.44 (1991); 10000 – 27:21.46 (1988).