Bidouane takes 2002 sabbatical

The double World 400m hurdles champion Nezha Bidouane is to take 2002 off as a sabbatical year to have her first child.

Bidouane told the Moroccan press agency MAP: "I have made a lot of sacrifices and deprived myself of many good things, particularly the happiness of being a mother, after eleven years of marriage and thirteen years of hard work representing my country and raising its flag on the international scene."

This year is perhaps one of the best in which to take a break as there are no Olympics nor World Championships, although it means she will miss the African Championships in August.

Bidouane says: "I think that I have already honoured my country at the last edition in Johannesburg, where I won the 400 m hurdles title," she says.

Bidouane took up hurdling at the end of the Eighties at the national athletics school in Rabat, where she changed from gymnastics to athletics, becoming a leading figure on the track. She dedicates her success to her mother Fatima and her coach and manager, Aziz Daouda.

Bidouane was the first woman to win twice the 400m hurdles title (in 1997 and 2001) and believes that she will be able to come back at the highest level after having a child. "Many athletes have been even better than before and have achieved great exploits (after motherhood)," she remarks.

But even though for this year Bidouane will not compete herself, she will remain on the athletics scene as she continues to promote road races for women, on what has been baptized the "circuit of the future".

"I want to continue to promote these events that are designed to develop women's sport at the national level and to help Moroccan women show their potential."
She also reaffirmed her commitment to another cause: that of the creation of a dedicated children's cancer treatment centre: "Over the next two years, my biggest target is to create this service for children, especially the building of a cell transplant service."

She has no plans to end her career just yet. "I am looking forward to the Athens Olympics, where I hope to end my career at the very top. It is my great passion and I still have an unbelievable enthusiasm for the sport."

Olympic gold is the one medal missing from her trophy cabinet as she had to settle for a bronze medal in Sydney wants to take up a coaching career once she has finished competing. "I really want to succeed in forming new champions who will be even better than I am."

Updated 13 April

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