Hicham El Guerrouj on Coping with Failure

Hicham El Guerrouj, the Moroccan middle distance runner, still felt the pain of his 2000 Sydney Olympics loss 10 years later. In an interview, he revealed the struggles he faced with failure and self-doubt, and how athletes cope with defeat. El Guerrouj's voice carried a faint shadow of pain as he recalled the moment he lost the 1,500m event, just metres short of Olympic validation. 'I woke up (the next day), and I realised I am not Olympic champion,' he said. 'How did I not win? How am I not good enough? What did I train for?' These questions haunted him, and he struggled to come to terms with his loss. El Guerrouj's experience is not unique, and many athletes face similar struggles with failure and self-doubt. Alex de Minaur, the Australian tennis player, recently spoke about the emotional toll of losing, saying it 'breaks me inside'. Athletes often have to pick up the pieces and glue them back together, a process that can be difficult and painful. El Guerrouj's mile record, set in 1999, was recently broken by Josh Kerr, a reminder that even the greatest athletes can be surpassed. Despite this, El Guerrouj's legacy continues to inspire athletes around the world. His story serves as a reminder that failure is a part of the journey to success, and that it's how we respond to it that matters. - KEY TAKEAWAYS: - Hicham El Guerrouj struggled with failure and self-doubt after losing in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. - Athletes often face similar struggles with failure and self-doubt. - El Guerrouj's mile record, set in 1999, was recently broken by Josh Kerr.