Mohammed Suleiman
Encyclopedia
Mohamed Suleiman (born 23 November 1969) is a Somali
-born middle-distance runner. He competes for Qatar
.
. However, he did not progress to the semi-finals. In 1991, Suleiman qualified for the World Championships
in Tokyo
, where he came in ninth. In 1992, he achieved the greatest success of his career when he won the bronze medal in the Barcelona Olympics thus becoming the first-ever Olympic medallist for Qatar
. Throughout his career, Suleiman ran several Asian records over 1500 m and the mile run
.
He won the gold medal
in the 1500 m representing Asia at the 1992 IAAF World Cup
. Suleiman ran for Qatar at two further Olympic Games (in 1996
and 2000
) and reached the event finals, although he did not make the podium.
Suleiman's younger brothers Nasser and Abdulrahman Suleiman
have also competed internationally in middle-distance running – Abdulrahman was the 2002 Asian champion was the 1500 m.
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
-born middle-distance runner. He competes for Qatar
Qatar
Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its...
.
Career
At the age of 18, Suleiman participated in the Olympic Games in Seoul over 1500 metres1500 metres
The 1,500-metre run is the premier middle distance track event.Aerobic endurance is the biggest factor contributing to success in the 1500 metres but the athlete also requires significant sprint speed.In modern times, the 1,500-metre run has been run at a pace faster than the average person could...
. However, he did not progress to the semi-finals. In 1991, Suleiman qualified for the World Championships
1991 World Championships in Athletics
The 3rd World Championships in Athletics, under the auspices of the International Association of Athletics Federations, were held in the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Japan between August 23 and September 1 and athletes from 167 countries participated in the event.The event is best-remembered for the...
in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, where he came in ninth. In 1992, he achieved the greatest success of his career when he won the bronze medal in the Barcelona Olympics thus becoming the first-ever Olympic medallist for Qatar
Qatar at the Olympics
Qatar has competed in 7 Summer Olympic Games. They have never competed in the Winter Olympic Games. They have so far won 2 bronze medals.Following the 2008 Summer Olympics, Qatar was, along with Saudi Arabia and Brunei, one of only three countries never have sent a female athlete to the Olympic Games...
. Throughout his career, Suleiman ran several Asian records over 1500 m and the mile run
Mile run
The mile run is a middle-distance foot race which is among the more popular events in track running.The history of the mile run event began in England, where it was used as a distance for gambling races...
.
He won the gold medal
Gold medal
A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
in the 1500 m representing Asia at the 1992 IAAF World Cup
1992 IAAF World Cup
The 6th IAAF World Cup in Athletics was an international track and field sporting event sponsored by the International Association of Athletics Federations, held on September 8–10, 1992, at the Estadio Panamericano in Havana, Cuba.-Men:|width="50"| ...
. Suleiman ran for Qatar at two further Olympic Games (in 1996
1996 Summer Olympics
The 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States....
and 2000
2000 Summer Olympics
The Sydney 2000 Summer Olympic Games or the Millennium Games/Games of the New Millennium, officially known as the Games of the XXVII Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event which was celebrated between 15 September and 1 October 2000 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
) and reached the event finals, although he did not make the podium.
Suleiman's younger brothers Nasser and Abdulrahman Suleiman
Abdulrahman Suleiman
Abdulrahman Suleiman is a Qatari middle-distance runner who specialises in both the 800 metres and 1500 metres. He was the 2002 Asian champion over 1500 m and represented Qatar at the 2004 Summer Olympics....
have also competed internationally in middle-distance running – Abdulrahman was the 2002 Asian champion was the 1500 m.