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Hassiba Boulmerka

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Administrator
SexFemale
Full nameHassiba•Boulmerka
Used nameHassiba•Boulmerka
Original nameحسيبة•بولمرقة
Born10 July 1968 in Constantine, Constantine (ALG)
Measurements158 cm / 49 kg
AffiliationsCS Constantine/CM Belcourt
NOC Algeria
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

Hassiba Boulmerka was a pioneer in many ways, notably for being a Muslim woman to reach the very pinnacle of achievement in track & field athletics. Boulmerka was a middle-distance runner who won the 1992 Olympic gold in the 1,500 metres. At the World Championships she won the 1,500 in 1991 and 1995, adding a bronze in 1993. At the 1991 Mediterranean Games Boulmerka won golds in the 800 and 1,500, repeating as 800 champion in 1993, while adding a silver that year in the 1,500. Her first international titles came in 1988 when she won both the 800 and 1,500 at the African Games.

In 1999 Boulmerka was elected as an Athletes’ Member of the IOC, although she served on the committee for only a bit more than one year. She later returned to Algeria where she became a businesswoman, another pioneering role for her.

Personal Bests: 800 – 1:58.72 (1991); 1500 – 3:55.30 (1992).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1988 Summer Olympics Athletics ALG Hassiba Boulmerka
800 metres, Women (Olympic) 5 h4 r1/3
1,500 metres, Women (Olympic) 9 h2 r1/2
1992 Summer Olympics Athletics ALG Hassiba Boulmerka
1,500 metres, Women (Olympic) 1 Gold
1996 Summer Olympics Athletics ALG Hassiba Boulmerka
1,500 metres, Women (Olympic) 12 h1 r2/3

Organization roles

Role Organization Tenure NOC As
Athlete International Olympic Committee 1999—2000 ALG Hassiba Boulmerka

Special Notes