Nawal El Moutawakel
Awards & Honours
2
Awards Won
3
Honours
1
Rankings
3
Covers
2
Records
Nawal El Moutawakel's achievements are historic and deeply personal. She is not just a medalist; she is a barrier-breaker who redefined what was possible for women in sport. Her Olympic gold in 1984 was the first for any Arab, African, or Muslim woman, a feat that resonates to this day. In 2024, the International Sports Press Association ranked her the fourth greatest female athlete of the past century, placing her among the most iconic figures in sports history. Her ongoing work as an IOC Vice President and her advocacy for women's empowerment continue to inspire new generations.
Awards
Honours & Distinctions
IOC Vice President
Served multiple terms in one of global sport's most powerful governance positions.
Moroccan Minister of Sports
First woman to hold this portfolio in Morocco.
Council of Europe North-South Prize
Recognized for promoting sport as a bridge between developed and developing nations.
Rankings & Lists
Greatest Female Athletes of the Past Century
Magazine Covers
Women's Running
October 2019
As a Pioneer in the Sport, Nawal El Moutawakel Says 'Things Are Brighter for Women'
BBC Sport Africa
August 2020
Africa Olympic stories: Nawal El Moutawakel changes the Arab world in one run
The Arab Weekly
March 2019
El Moutawakel, torchbearer for Arab sportswomen
Records & Feats
First Arab, African, and Muslim woman to win Olympic gold
Won the inaugural women's 400m hurdles at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, a historic first for women from these backgrounds.
First-ever Olympic champion in women's 400m hurdles
The event was introduced at the 1984 Games, and El Moutawakel became its first gold medalist.