Further Information 

Competition Stats

AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS:
1500 metres: 2000 - 2nd, 2001 - 4th, 2002 - 2nd, 2003 - DNF (fell), 2004 - 1st
3000m steeple: 2005 - 3rd, 2006 – 1st , 2007 - DNF (fell)

INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS:
World School Games: 1994
World Junior Championships: 1996 - 800m heat (1.54.12)
Commonwealth Games: 2002 - 1500m 3rd (3.37.77), 2006 – 3000m steeple 11th (9.02.22)
World Cup: 2002 – 1500m 4th (3.41.01), 2006 – 3000m steeple 5th (8.36.13)
World Championships: 2003 - 1500m 8th semi (3.40.13), 2007 - 3000m steeple 12th heat (9.51.33)
Olympic Games: 2008 - 3000m steeplechase 6th final (8:16.36)

ANNUAL PROGRESSION:
1500 metres
1998 3.40.90
1999 3.41.00
2000 3.39.77
2001 3.37.81
2002 3.36.35
2003 3.36.35
2004 3.37.28
2005 3.39.22
2006 3.40.74
2007 3.38.48
2008 3.42.98

3000m steeple
2005 8.37.42
2006 8.21.98
2007 8.18.34
2007 8.22.89
2008 8:16.36

EVENTS/PERSONAL BESTS:
800 metres: 1:48.32 - 2002
1 mile: 3:56.23 - Eugene (USA), 24/05/03
1500 metres: 3:36.35 - Rieti (ITA), 8/09/02
3000 metres: 7:54.31 - Cuxhaven (GER), 19/07/03
3000m steeple: 8:16.36 - Beijing (CHI), 18/08/08

Interesting Facts

Youcef was born and raised in Algeria and came to Australia for the 1996 World Junior Championships and decided to stay. He fell in love with Sydney, which is now his place of residence.

His favourite hobbies include soccer, going to the movies and listening to music. He started running at the age of 14 to accompany his brother who was scared of running in the bush by himself. Youcef went to school in France with famous French soccer player Thierry Henry. He speaks French and Arabic.

Sporting Career

Youcef competed for his country of birth, Algeria, at the 1996 World Juniors in the 800m, but did not proceed past the heats.

Youcef enjoyed an excellent domestic season in 2002 including a strong win over Craig Mottram, a silver at the Nationals and selection in the Commonwealth Games team - his first Australian team. After good races in the lead up to the Games, with five sub-3.40 runs including a new best of 3.37.71, he ran a great tactical race to claim the bronze medal - the first by an Australian in the 1500m at an Olympics, World Championships or Commonwealth Games since Herb Elliott in 1960.

The good form continued and competing in Rieti, Italy he clocked his PB at 1500m of 3.36.35.

A steady build up to the 2003 World Championships produced a 3000m PB of 7:54.31 and an equal PB at 1500m in Belgium in August. Competing in Paris at his first World Championships, Youcef progressed to the semi finals and missed qualifying for the final by one position.

He tried a new event during the 2004-05 domestic season - the 3000m steeplechase, clocking a best of 8.37.42 and placing third at the Nationals. In winning the 2006 NSW Championships, he broke through to run 8.27.66 before winning the 2006 National title in a slightly quicker 8.27.60.

Youcef fell during the 2006 Commonwealth Games steeple whilst well placed, destroying any chance he had of any success, finishing 11th. He rebounded well on his 2006 European trip, running a personal best of 8.21.98 in Heusden and went on to finish fifth in the World Cup in Athens in 8.36.13. He had five sub-8.30s for the steeple in 2006.

Unfortunately, another fall at the 2007 Nationals cost him a second Australian title in the event but he had done enough during a good season to impress selectors for Osaka.

In the lead up to Osaka, Youcef had some great performances, breaking the Australian record for the rarely contested 2000m steeplechase (5.26.60) and recording a new personal best over the 3000m steeple, only weeks prior to the big event.  His poor fortune continued at the Worlds however, tumbling in his heat at the start of the final lap, only to refuse the aid of officials and finish the race to the adulation of the crowd.

After a disappointing third place at the National Championships in 2008 (8:37.69), Youcef headed overseas to set about making his way into the Australian team for the Olympic Games.

After a less than convincing race at the FBK Games in the Netherlands, which saw Youcef finish 10th (8:28.81) he returned to his place of origin, Algeria. The trip proved successful when Youcef claimed victory in a season best time (8:28.35) at the Algiers meet. It seemed that Youcef was well on his way to a return to form and a step closer to a debut at the Olympic Games. Two weeks later Youcef travelled to the Czech Republic for the Josef Odlozil Memorial meet. After the designated pacemaker fell, Youcef took up the lead in a last ditch effort to qualify for Beijing.  He led into the final straight, holding on for third place and more importantly finishing under the A qualifying standard (8:22.89).

This overseas form was enough to convince selectors he was ready to make a long awaited Olympic debut in Beijing 2008.

After many years of international competition, Beijing will be Youcef's debut at an Olympic Games.