Hassiba Boulmerka Quotes

Several leaders of political parties told me, You did what we haven't been able to do for years. You brought us together.

I was screaming for Algeria's pride and Algeria's history, and still more.

I like to keep things simple, not be a star. But I've become a representative of all Algeria, and of young women in particular.

My parents came originally from the remote countryside. But for 10 years my father drove a truck in France and sent money home to our family.

My father worried a lot about me - it was an enormous stress for him,I knew that what I was doing was an incredible burden for him.

As I crossed the line, I thrust a fist into the air, It was a symbol of victory, of defiance. It was to say:I did it! I won!

Every year it gets harder to balance my training, my friends, my other interests and my duty to visit my parents and take care of them.

Tradition is not really a problem. The thinking has evolved enormously. Women’s emancipation has really progressed. Women can choose what sport they want.

I believe you can express your self in sport maybe better than in any other field. All that, and it brings everyone together, too.

In athletics, on the track, I learned to suffer, to love my country, to concentrate, to take responsibility.

That year I didn't run a single race in Algeria, It was simply too risky. I could have been killed at any moment.

Women’s sport in general is very weak, We still need a good sports policy. There’s a lot of work to do.

My race at the world championships was the first time I ever felt complete confidence in myself.

It was a triumph for women all over the world to stand up to their enemies, That's what made me really proud.

You can't be a champion in a week or a year, You must accept a time of suffering.