Mohammed Gammoudi
Gammoudi in 1968
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Native name | محمد التليلي بن عبدالله |
| Birth name | Mohammed Tlili ben Abdallah |
| Nationality | Tunisian |
| Born |
February 11, 1938 Sidi Aïch, Tunisia |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal best(s) |
800 meters: 1:51.2 1500 meters: 3:41.9 3000 meters: 7:50.2 5000 meters: 13:27.33 10,000 meters: 27:54.59 |
Mohammed Tlili ben Abdallah (Arabic: محمد التليلي بن عبدالله), also known as Moham(m)ed Gammoudi, (born February 11, 1938) is a Tunisian athlete who competed as a long distance runner in international track and field competitions. He represented Tunisia in the Tokyo, Mexico City, and Munich Olympiads and recorded four medals, including a gold medal in the 5000 metres event in Mexico City. Gammoudi was also competitive at 10,000 metres.
Born in Sidi Aïch, in Tunisia, Mohammed Gammoudi was one of the pioneers of the African long distance running revolution that changed the face of the sport in the final decades of the 20th century.
Gammoudi first came to international attention at the 1963 Mediterranean Games in Naples, where he won the 5,000 m and 10,000 m. Despite that achievement, Gammoudi was still virtually unknown when he arrived at the Tokyo Olympic Games. The favourite, world record holder Ron Clarke from Australia, ensured a fast tempo throughout the race. With one lap remaining, Clarke had dropped all his main rivals, except Gammoudi and Billy Mills from United States. Coming into the home straight, Mills, Clark and Gammoudi exchanged leads. With 50 m to go, Gammoudi had the lead, until Mills swept past Gammoudi to win the gold medal. Two days later, Gammoudi won his heat in the 5000 m, but for reasons never fully explained, he withdrew from the final.
Gammoudi successfully defended his 5000 m and 10 000 m titles at the Mediterranean Games in Tunis in the 1967, and was one of the favourites at the Mexico Olympics. In the 10 000 m final in Mexico, Gammoudi was in the leading group throughout the race. The group had been reduced to three by the bell lap. Gammoudi, Naftali Temu from Kenya, and Mamo Wolde from Ethiopia sprinted the last lap, outrunning Gammoudi, leaving him with the bronze medal. Two days later, Gammoudi qualified for the 5000 m final. In the final, three runners were in contention at the bell lap, with Gammoudi leading Temu and another Kenyan, Kip Keino. The last lap was fast pace, and although the two Kenyans gave charge, Gammoudi held on to the lead, winning the gold medal.
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