Nawal El Moutawakel

Moroccan athlete

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July 16, 2026

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Nawal El Moutawakel is a Moroccan athlete who made history at the 1984 Olympic Games. She won a gold medal in the 400-meter hurdles, becoming the first woman from an Arab or Islamic country to achieve this distinction. Her victory was a significant moment for women in sports from these regions. While football is Morocco's most popular sport, El Moutawakel's success in track and field brought international recognition to Moroccan athletics.1

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Morocco
Sports and recreation
…field events, one of whom—Nawal El Moutawakel in the 400 metre hurdles—was the first woman from an Arab or Islamic country to win an Olympic gold medal. Tennis and golf have also become popular. Several Moroccan professional players have competed in international competition, and the country fielded its first…
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…field events, one of whom—Nawal El Moutawakel in the 400 metre hurdles—was the first woman from an Arab or Islamic country to win an Olympic gold medal. Tennis and golf have also become popular. Several Moroccan professional players have competed in international competition, and the country fielded its first…
Read More