Hicham El Guerrouj had emerged as a world-class 1500m/1 mile runner in 1994 and 1995, but he still competed in the shadow of Algerian Noureddine Morceli, who had been undefeated at either event since 1992. The tide started to turn in 1996, although the balance of the honours still leant slightly more towards Morceli than his younger rival. El Guerrouj started the year well, recording the world's fastest 1500m time during the indoor season of 3min 34.97sec at Stockholm on 25 February. In the outdoor season, he produced a number of impressive performances during July in his preparation for the Olympic Games in Atlanta the following month. El Guerrouj won a 1500m race at Hechtel on 6 July in 3min 31.61sec, and then, two days later, at Stockholm, broke 3min 30sec for the first time, clocking 3min 29.59sec and moving to third on the all-time world list. Another two days later, at Nice, he produced another very fast time of 3min 30.61sec. Morceli had an equally good season up to the end of July, but the two champions had not met head to head, and therefore, their confrontation in the Olympic final on August 3 was keenly anticipated. In the end, their clash was an anticlimax. Nearing the end of the third lap, Morceli was leading, with El Guerrouj tucked in behind him. Suddenly, Hicham made contact with Morceli's trailing leg, tripped, and fell heavily to the ground (see photo above), causing runners following to take quick, evasive action. Following this misfortune, El Guerrouj further reduced his 1500m personal best to 3min 29.05sec at Brussels on 23 August, and then, at the Grand Prix final in Milan on 7 September, he defeated Morceli over 1500m, thus finally ending the Algerian's long winning streak which had started in 1992. (George Herringshaw)