Bouguera El Ouafi
Biographical information
| Roles | Competed in Olympic Games |
|---|---|
| Sex | Male |
| Full name | Bouguera•Louafi "El Ouafi" Ben Abdellaki |
| Used name | Bouguera•El Ouafi |
| Born | 15 October 1898 in Ouled Djellal, Biskra (ALG) |
| Died | 18 October 1959 in Saint-Denis, Seine-Saint-Denis (FRA) |
| Measurements | 170 cm / 59 kg |
| Affiliations | CASG Paris/CO Billancourt |
| NOC |  France |
| Nationality |  Algeria |
| Medals | OG |
| Gold | 1 |
| Silver | 0 |
| Bronze | 0 |
| Total | 1 |
Biography
Born in Algeria, then a French colony, Bouguera El Ouafi’s athletic abilities were noticed when he joined the French military. After winning many military competitions, El Ouafi qualified for the 1924 French Olympic team, finishing in seventh place. At the 1928 Amsterdam Olympic marathon, El Ouafi ran behind the leaders for the first 35 km, overtaking them some 5 km before the end. He was not caught and finished first, 26 seconds ahead of second-placed Manuel Plaza from Chile. At the time he was working in an auto factory in Paris.
After his surprise victory, El Ouafi toured the United States from 1929-30. The money he earned from this trip disqualified him as an amateur, so he quit athletics and opened a cafe in Paris. El Ouafi remained forgotten until 1956, when another Algerian, Alain Mimoun, also won the Olympic marathon. While sitting in a café, El Ouafi was killed by members of the National Liberation Front, three days after his 61st birthday, after he had refused to support them.
Personal Best: Mar – 2-32:57 (1928).
Results
| Games | Discipline (Sport) / Event | NOC / Team | Pos | Medal | Nationality | As | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1924 Summer Olympics | Athletics | FRA |
ALG |
Bouguera El Ouafi | |||
| Marathon, Men (Olympic) | 7 | ||||||
| 1928 Summer Olympics | Athletics | FRA |
ALG |
Bouguera El Ouafi | |||
| Marathon, Men (Olympic) | 1 | Gold |
Special Notes
- Listed in Olympians Who Were Murdered (†18 October 1959. Killed by members of the Algerian Liberation Movement.)
Errata
The athlete's surname is pronounced "Louafi" in Algerian pronunciation, whereas it was printed/pronounced "El Ouafi" in modern standard Arabic transliteration, which was used commonly in contemporary reports. Most sources have his YOB as 1898, although 1899 is also seen and 1903 is listed on his certificate of death.