Bio

For 10 years Noureddine Morceli dominated middle distance running around the globe. By age 21, Morceli had won the Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field World titles. At age 26, he became an Olympic Champion, winning the 1500 meter race in the Atlanta Games. He was a six-time world champion in the 1500 meters. Over the course of his career, he broke seven world records. He continues to hold world records in the 1000 meters (2:15.26), 2000 meters (4:47.88), the mile (3:44.39) and 3000 meters (7:25.11). His 1500 meters time of 3:27.37 stood for almost a decade as a world record.

His journey began in Algeria, but it was at Riverside City College under the tutelage of Hall of Fame coach Ted Banks, winner of 16 NCAA track and field and cross-country champions at the University of Texas-El Paso, that he began to make a name for himself.

During his two years at RCC, Morceli was a six-time state champion, winning back-to-back state cross country titles and state titles in the 1500 and 5000 meters in back-to-back seasons. Twenty-four years later, his 18:48 time still stands as the state’s record at Woodward Park in Fresno, site of the state cross country championship meet. His 3:39.17 time in the 1500 meters in 1989 and his 13:24 clocking in 5000 meters are still national records for a community college athlete. During his Tiger career, Morceli never lost a race and is considered to be one of the best runners in California community college history.

Today, Morceli is known as a philanthropist and an ambassador for Algeria. In his hometown of Tenes, Algeria, he has built worship centers and assisted the poor and the homeless. He frequently does speaking tours and makes appearances for the International Olympic Committee.

During his athletic career, Morceli was honored as Athlete of the Arabic Century, Athlete of the Century for Algeria, Track and Field News Athlete of the Year (1993- 1994), and Athlete of the Year in Africa (1991).

Morceli, who was born in Nigeria, ran for RCC coach Ted Banks from 1988-1989. A middle distance runner, he placed second in the 1988 World Junior Championships and arrived in Riverside on the recommendation of a friend. At RCC, Morceli’s times fell, his confidence grew, and he set a junior college record in the 5,000 meters. He went on to become a six-time state champion—twice in cross-country and four times in track and field—while never losing a race.

He set world records in the indoor and outdoor 1,500 meters before winning gold at the Atlanta Summer Olympic Games in 1996. He also held world records in the 1,000 meters, mile, and the 3,000 meters.