El Guerrouj hungry to secure double

Hicham El Guerrouj pledged today to continue his quest for double Olympic gold in Athens despite finally clinching the goal of a lifetime in the 1500metres final.

The Moroccan claimed the Olympic gold medal that has eluded him in two previous Games last night to confirm his place as the greatest 1500m runner in history.

After falling just before the bell at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and being beaten in a dramatic sprint finish by Kenyan Noah Ngeny in Sydney four years ago, El Guerrouj could be forgiven for celebrating and giving up on a 1500m and 5,000m double.

But he dismissed suggestions that his motivation had gone for tonight's 5,000m heats. He said: "I am still hungry. I am very motivated to do my best and it is going to be a real battle with the Kenyans."

After winning his fourth consecutive world title in Paris last year, the Moroccan could only finish second in the 5,000m. But he is determined to go one better this time.

It was an emotional night for El Guerrouj after an intense battle down the home straight with Kenyan Bernard Lagat.

After clocking three minutes 34.18seconds, he said: "Four years ago I cried tears of sadness, now there are tears of joy.

"There have been many difficult moments in my career. It has been a tough year after working hard for eight years. In June I had respiratory problems and I didn't even know if I was going to go to the Olympics.

"I feel I deserve this because of the difficult moments from Atlanta until now.

"In the last 100m I had images of what happened in Sydney in my mind. But this time I felt I could win."