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Under the French sky and before the tenth and final stage of the meetings on the 2024 Diamond League athletics program, Algerian middle-distance runner Djamel Sedjati, competing in his favorite distance, the 800 meters, soared straight over the 9th, in the principality of Monaco, by putting both his direct competitors and observers in agreement, by winning hands down the race held on Friday. The icing on the cake was that he displayed all his talent by setting a new national record for the distance, with a time of 1:41.46.
After having, a week ago, in the French capital, the scene of the next Olympic Games where he intends to shine, caused a sensation by erasing from the records his illustrious predecessor and no less living legend of the national middle distance, Taoufik Makhloufi whose national record he would beat (1:42.61) that the native of Souk-Ahras had jealously guarded for years, Djamel Sedjati, one of the new stars of world athletics and formerly the undisputed No. in the discipline in Algeria, was not, once again, satisfied with victory.
By doing the double again, thus improving his time by 10 hundredths of a second (now at 1:41.46 against 1:46.56 achieved in Paris). A great performance in the form of a third best world performance of all time that will go down in history. Quite simply, makes him one of the most serious candidates in the race for the podium. Or even the gold medal.
Sedjati, barely 25 years old, left to carry on his frail shoulders the heavy responsibility of leader of Algerian athletics which seems to be rising from its ashes after the forced retirement of its best representatives, has not finished gaining stripes. Like a certain Makhloufi who must surely appreciate the emergence of a true champion and proud, finally, to pass the baton to a name that the regulars of the star tracks have learned to know.
Respect, the big posters and prestigious meetings helping. Following each other and resembling each other in exploits announcing a smashing entry into the legend with the most precious of metals, vermeil, in the most prestigious quadrennial gathering of universal sport.
The must of musts. The dream of every athlete. As in Paris, then Monaco as a preview of a return to . . . Paris where it will be a question of covering oneself in gold even if the competition, against the same names as in recent races, will be merciless. As surely as the pressure will be, one imagines, unbearable for a youngster fortunately demonstrating great mental strength added to an incredible talent.
Demonstrating in Paris and then in Monaco, where he brilliantly won against his two potential and dangerous opponents at the Olympics, namely the Spaniard Mohamed Attaoui (1:42.04) and the Frenchman Gabriel Tual (1:42.10), by a fairly comfortable margin, the child of Tiaret, if he confirms his current good form four short weeks before the start of the super-event which is preparing to set up its august marquee on French soil, has all the makings of a future champion.
Who knows what he wants and where he wants to go after the experience of the Tokyo Olympics (2020), in the midst of the COVID pandemic, from which he will draw valuable lessons under the guidance of his coach, Amar Benida.
Since the beginning of last June and the clear message sent to the competition from Stockholm with the status of best performer of the year over the distance, our new national attraction has seemed more mature. Better prepared for the challenges that await him and his two buddies who, the ticket for the next Olympics also in their pocket, namely Slimane Moula and Mohamed Ali Gouaned, certainly absent during the last meetings, but who for their part are putting the finishing touches to their preparation before the fabulous show next August.
A trio that looks great and is full of promise. Those, for example, of breaking the house and striking a triple golden blow. It should be noted that on occasion, Algerian athletics can count on a plethora of athletes. Eight in total, including of course Djamel Sedjati (800 m), Slimane Moula (800 m), Mohamed-Ali Gouaned (800 m), Mohamed Taher Yasser Triki (triple jump), Amine Bouanani (110 m hurdles), Oussama Khennoussi (discus throw), Zahra Tatar (hammer throw), and Bilal Tabti (3000 m steeplechase).
Likewise, Algerian sport will travel to Paris with a strong delegation of 46 athletes in 15 sporting disciplines.