Yassine Ouhdadi El Ataby He is the king of the long distance and he proved it again in the 5000 meters race in Paris 2024. The Spaniard of Moroccan origin, and with only 20% of visual capacity, always remained at the head of the race and, on the last lap, he took off his mask. That mask that revealed the face of an insatiable predator. He accelerated, left the Australian Clifford nailed and entered trotting across the finish line. A masterpiece that allows him to repeat the gold of Tokyo 2020 and give the eighth medal to the Spanish delegation.
“I think it was more exciting than the gold medal in Tokyo. Seeing the stadium full and all your family members here, cheering, is amazing,” she said. Ouhdadi El Ataby in the mixed zone. “At the time you don’t believe it. I looked back and saw that I had a big lead. I loved being able to cross the finish line with my arms raised.”
“I was interested in a faster race. When I was behind I tried to stay calm. I was ready to jump when someone changed pace and fortunately the Australian did,” said the Spaniard.
The sun has set in Paris and clouds are now colouring the third day of the Paralympic Games, which begin at the spectacular Stade de France with a good handful of athletics events. The strains of the Oscar-winning song are heard ‘Lose Yourself’ de Eminema declaration of intent of what is to come. “If you only had one chance to achieve everything you’ve ever wanted, would you take it or let it pass you by?”
Jump on the track Yassine Ouhdadi El AtabyThe Spaniard of Moroccan origin is ready to face one of the most difficult challenges that professional sport presents: achieving success. He already won gold in Tokyo 2020 and is looking to repeat the feat on French soil. His start is very serious, he quickly takes the lead of the race, sets the pace, always alert in case he has to shift into fifth gear.
The laps go by and Ouhdadi El Ataby is stuck in fourth position, the Tunisian Michael Al and the Australian Jaryd Clifford They are kicking and screaming at a high level. They are now the leaders and the Spanish rider has to take out the square and the ruler, dust off his tactics as the halfway point of the race approaches. It seems that the metres do not weigh on him, he stands tall in the face of adversity.
The outcome is approaching and the Ecuadorian Sixto Roman Moreta The pace is dizzying. The pieces are moving and Ouhdadi El Ataby seems to be faltering, but he quickly gets back in the lead. In fact, he lights his fuse, accelerates without mercy, eyes the podium and even dreams of something bigger. Only Clifford stands between him and gold.
The race is over and there can only be one man left. The Spaniard faces the last lap and accelerates, tears up the track, leaving everyone behind. He is uncontrollable, a thoroughbred. Clifford doesn’t even try, he can’t cope with such a display. He even has time to look back. He is gold again, he is once again the best on the planet.
