Algerian silver medalist Djamel Sedjati waves Palestine flag at World Athletics Championships

Algerian middle-distance runner Djamel Sedjati has waved the national Palestinian flag around the stadium to celebrate the conclusion of his awe-inspiring campaign at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in the United States, as he finished runner-up in the tournament.

The 23-year-old athlete participated in the 800-meter final and finished in a time of 1:44.14 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, to stand behind Kenya’s Emmanuel Kipkurui, who clinched gold with 1:43.71.

Marco Arop of Canada took bronze in a time of 1:44.28, while the only other Arab runner in the final contest, Algeria’s Slimane Moula, finished in the fifth place.

After his victory, Sedjati carried the Palestinian flag as well as the Algerian one. He jogged around the track and field stadium to enthusiastic applause, especially from Arab and Algerian fans.

He said that he is happy with his latest achievement, although he had hoped to take the gold medal home.

“The important thing is that I won one of the three medals,” he was reported as saying by AFP.

“It brought joy to the hearts of Algerians and Arabs. It was a strong race,” Sedjati noted.

The 2022 World Athletics Championships, which was the eighteenth edition of the World Athletics Championships, were held from July 15 to 24, in Eugene, Oregon, the United States.

ME