Taoufik Makhloufi: the Olympic champion returns to action in Paris, by Chris Chavez for RunBlogRun

Taoufik Makhloufi, the Algerian star who won the 2012 Olympic gold at 1,500 meters, is back! On July 1, 2015, in Nancy, France (near Strasbourg), Makhloufi broke the 1000m Algerian record of one Nouredine Morcelli, (three time WC, 1996 Olympic gold) of 2:13.73 with his own brilliant 2:13.07.

Makhloufi, fresh off his third place at the Pre Classic in the 800 meters, caught up with Chris Chavez, who is touring Europe for RunBlogRun this summer.

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The Olympic Champion returns to action in Paris, by Chris Chavez

Olympic champion Taoufik Makhloufi returns to action in the same distance that won him a gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London. Makhloufi was in high spirits looking forward to his 1,500-meter opener in Paris on Saturday.

Makhloufi is coming off a stunning 2:13.08 1,000-meter performance in Nancy, France to become the fourth fastest at the distance all-time. He broke Noureddine Morceli’s Algerian national record of 2:13.73.

Makhloufi told me that he has been training in France since April. He also had training stints in California and Colorado before heading over to Europe. Makhloufi will most likely not race too often before the IAAF World Championships in Beijing. He said he has plans of racing in Monaco and just training in France.

The Algerian star has already run 1:45.17 for a third place finish at the Prefontaine Classic’s 800-meter run. After running on Saturday, Makhloufi will determine whether he will race the 800-meter run or 1,500-meter run in Beijing. Chances are that he would most likely try to contend for his first championship title since his Olympic gold.

Makhloufi battles at Pre, photo by PhotoRun.net

Makhloufi was ruled out of the 2013 World Championships in Beijing due to illness. He was back on his feet and racing in 2014 as he set personal bests of 1:43.53 in the 800 and 3:30.40 in the 1,500. He said illness struck again and was unable to race in July before returning for the latter portion of the season.

Makhloufi will have his hands full on Saturday as he takes on the likes of Ayanleh Souleiman, Abdelaati Iguider, James Magut and Aman Wote. The men’s 1,500-meter run is scheduled to go off at 3:02 p.m. ET.

Larry Eder

Larry Eder has had a 50-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

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