Taoufik Makhloufi withdraws from two Diamond League meetings


Taoufik Makhloufi, the newly crowned Olympic 1500 meter Champion, has dropped out of two upcoming diamond league meets due to injury. Makhloufi was slated to run the 800m at the DN Galen Diamond League meet in Stockholm and a yet unannounced race at the next Diamond League meeting in Lausanne.

Makhloufi, competing for Algeria, had previously dropped out of the 800m at the London Olympics, resulting in officials disqualifying him from the 1500m final. The ruling was that he had not given a “bona fide effort” and was to be excluded from all future events. He was later reinstated into the race after providing a doctor’s note citing knee problems for his lack of effort.

The injury that kept him from performing in the Olympic 800 may very well be the same one preventing him from competing in the upcoming Diamond League events. Makhloufi did talk to The Guardian, concerning his injury he said, “I have a problem with my left leg, and it may need surgery.”

Despite a possible injury, Makhloufi has been doing well post-Olympics, inking a 4-year sponsorship deal with Mobilis, Algerian’s largest mobile phone provider and enjoying a warm welcome back to his home country.