Maiden Olympic medal for Bahrain

Rashid Ramzi handed Bahrain its first-ever Olympic medal when he won the men's 1500 metres gold medal at the Beijing Games on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old Moroccan-born runner won in 3min 32.94sec, outsprinting the field for the Gulf country's first medal in six Olympic Games dating back to Los Angeles in 1984.

Kenya's Asbel Kipruto Kiprop, who finished fourth in last year's world championships in Osaka, claimed silver in 3:33.11 with New Zealander Nicholas Willis winning bronze in 3:34.16.

"I didn't believe in my wildest dreams that I'd be Olympic champion," said Ramzi, who said he was felt speechless by his success which he rated as good as his 800/1500m double in the world championships in Helsinki.

"But the dream didn't come from nothing. I had to work had to achieve it.

"I'm over the moon, I can't find the words to describe this victory."

Ramzi added that he would discuss with his coach the chances of him attempting a double by running the 5000m, the heats for which are on Wednesday."I have a sore shin so I'll talk with my coach (Khalid Boulami) and we'll see," he said.

BEIJING, Tuesday, AFP