One of the most dominant forces in middle distance running from the mid-90s to mid-2000s, Hicham El Guerrouj is a true legend in the world of track and field.

The Moroccan, who turns 41 today, is the world record holder in the 1,500m, mile and 2,000m and is a two-time Olympic gold medallist having pulled off a 1,500m-5,000m double in Athens 2004.

His world mark of 3:26 in the 1,500m set in 1998 is considered one of the toughest records to break in track and field. He first rose to prominence in 1995 when he took silver at Worlds behind the-then world record holder Noureddine Morceli.

He was tipped for gold at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics but he fell in the final with 400m to go. He took silver in Sydney 2000 before finally redeeming himself with two golds in Athens.

1978: Ben Cohen, former England rugby union player, won the World Cup in 2003 (37).

1979: Ivica Olic, Croatian striker, plays for Hamburger, represented Croatia in three World Cups (36).

1986: Steven Naismith, Scottish footballer, plays as a midfielder for Everton and the Scotland national team (29).

1987: Michael Crabtree, NFL wide receiver for the Oakland Raiders (28).