Guerrouj fastest qualifier for 1500m final

As expected, three-time world champion and record holder of Morocco qualified ahead of the pack for the men's 1500 metres final at the Stade de France in Paris.

El Guerrouj won the closely fought first semi-final quite comfortably in 3:38.25, 12.25 seconds slower than his world record set in Rome five years ago.

Hard on his heels was world indoor 1500m champion Rui Silva of Portugal in 3:38.37, followed by Ivan Heshko of the Ukraine in 3:38.43

Dutchman Gert-Jan Liefers set the pace early in the race and led for the first two laps before El Guerrouj took over. Eventually, Liefers qualified for the final as one of the two fastest losers to go through along with the first five in each semifinal.

The second semifinal was a slower affair, with Mehdi Baala of France winning in 3:39.73 followed by Paul Korir of Kenya, who set the pace for most of the race in 3:40.08.

Following is the lineup, in lane order, for the 1500m final that will take place on Wednesday:
Paul Korir KEN
Hicham El Guerrouj MAR
Reyes Estevez ESP
Gert-Jan Liefers NED
Fouad Chouki FRA
Roberto Parra ESP
Rui Silva POR
Vyacheslav Shabunin RUS
Mehdi Baala FRA
Juan Carlos Higuero ESP
Ivan Heshko UKR
Isaac Songok KEN

Image: Getty Images