Ismail gives Sudan first taste of Olympic glory
Wins silver medal in men's 800m
Sudan's Ismail Ahmed Ismail has given his country its first-ever taste of Olympic glory when he snatched the silver medal in the Beijing Olympic men's 800m final.
Kenya's Wilfred Bungei recorded an impressive gun to tape victory in the race on Saturday. Bungei, the 2006 world indoor champion, finished the race in 1min 44.65sec, his best time of the year.
Ismail, eighth at the 2004 Olympics, came second in 1:44.70 with Kenya's Alfred Kirwa Yego, the reigning world champion, third on 1:44.82.
Ismail said he was delighted with his silver showing, his country's first medal at the Beijing Games.
"I was boxed in and couldn't go on the outside, but I am glad just to get second," he said.
"I want to give this to my coach and my friends. This is an honor to the Sudan people and the Arab people.
Ismail’s medal is the Arabs’ eighth medal in the Olympics and the second silver.
Rashid Ramzi handed Bahrain its first-ever medal when he won the men's 1500 meters gold medal at the Olympic Games on Tuesday.
Tunisia's Oussama Mellouli made history when he achieved a thrilling victory in the finals of the 1500m freestyle swimming, winning the first Arab gold medal.
Hasna Benhassi of Morocco won the bronze medal in the women's 800 meters on Sunday.
Algeria's Soraya Haddad had kicked off the Arab quest for Olympic glory in Beijing, winning the bronze in the judo women's -52kg final.
Amar Benikhlef, also from Algeria, snatched an historic silver medal in the men's 90kg category of judo competitions.
Egypt's Hesham Mesbah became the first judo medal winner of his country, after winning bronze in the men's 90kg category.