The finish of the 1500 m race at the Atlanta Olympics will remain forever a dark day in the history of Morocco: Hicham El-Gerrouj, undisputed sporting star in his country and a favourite to take gold, fell on the track and left the medal to his Algerian rival, Nourredine Morceli.

It’s been almost a national disaster, but El Gerrouj received the staunch support of his monarch. Training in Casablanca, he is now preparing to take his revenge in Sydney, stopping five times a day for prayers. That day in Sydney, when he will finally be taking gold, he will not forget to bow on the track to thank God.