How Nawal El Moutawakel inspired a generation of girls in Morocco

Nawal El Moutawakel from Morocco etched her name in the books of history after winning a gold medal in the first-ever women’s 400-meter hurdles at the Olympics. Back in the 1984 edition of the mega event in Los Angeles, she became the first Muslim woman to bag an Olympic gold after she clocked 54 seconds to cross 10 hurdles.

Nawal El Moutawakel inspired several Arab female athletes, including Habiba Ghribi, Ghada Shouaa, Hasna Benhassi, Zahra Ouaziz, and Nezha Bidouane. The achievement inspired her country to the extent that Hassan II, the then King of Morocco, decided to honor her.

The King congratulated her and announced that all female athletes born on August 8, 1984, would be named after Moutawakel. As of now, 147 Nawals have been listed to have taken birth on that day.

The spikes she used while winning the gold medal are currently on display at the Museum of World Athletics, the first-ever 3D virtual sports museum in the world.

“For me the 400m hurdles was always a school of life, it teaches you how to start and finish in a strong way, and to overcome every barrier. This is what gave me energy to continue what I am doing today,” she was quoted as saying by worldathletics.org.

“I have prepared forever for this day, 8 August 1984. It’s one day, one event, that impacted me forever. I will never forget the 54 seconds that changed my life forever. I would not be the same person since then, if I couldn’t win. I wouldn’t be able to support the next generation. Today, when I see women from all countries compete in sports, I feel immense satisfaction.”

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Nawal El Moutawakel faced challenges on her way to success

Nawal El Moutawakel was only 22 years old when she finished on top of the podium in Los Angeles, but retired from the sport at the age of 25 due to pain in her lower back and undergoing knee surgery. Moutawakel also endured a personal tragedy as on November 25, 1985, her father passed away following a plane clash.

Apart from her success in the Olympics, she also won the Mediterranean Games and the University Games. She is also a former vice-president of the IOC and has been an active member of the World Athletics Council since 1985.