Interview: Youcef Abdi (Rerelease 2020)

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This weekend interview is with decorated steeplechaser, middle distance runner and Olympian Youcef Abdi, talking with Brad about how running took him from Algeria to Australia. Recounting his days playing soccer in their village, Youcef talks about what his inspirations for getting into athletics leading him to representing Algeria for the 1500m in the 1996 World Junior Championships in Athletics held in Sydney. After the event, Youcef explored his options in his life and decided to make the move to Australia to pursue a career in athletics the transition, navigating accommodation, finding employment and visas to ultimately becoming an Australian citizen in 2000.

After his citizenship Youcef recalls the infamous Sydney 2000 Olympic Trials 1500m race where Youcef was caught between Craig Mottram and Nick Howarth, the resulting re-run of that race while still pursuing an Olympic qualifying time. Rounding out this part of the interview Youcef shares with Brad his training structure in the early 2000s era, which emphasised on race-pace practice which earned him a Bronze medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Youcef Abdi picks off from last week recounting his bronze medal performance at the Manchester Commonwealth Games in the 1500m in detail. After going through his personal bests, Youcef talks about what led to his transition from the 1500m to Steeplechase after the campaign for the 2004 Athens Olympics, addressing the challenges in combining hurdling with raw speed. Brad asks about training in Eldoret, Kenya at the time of their elections in the lead up to Beijing 2008 Olympics and Youcef then talks about his 6th place at the 2008 Beijing Olympics before retiring after the London 2012 Olympics, giving insight for what he attributes to having a resilient and durable running career. Youcef rounds out this interview sharing what his current life as a Development Officer for Little Athletics and coming full circle returning to soccer.

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Opening and Closing Music is Undercover of my Skin by Benny Walker. www.bennywalkermusic.com