By Nick Butler

Algerian Olympic officials join to celebrate a half century of participation at the Games ©COACelebrations marking 50 years since Algeria's first Olympic participation have taken place, with the nation's only participant at Tokyo 1964 among those present.


Alongside numerous personalities at the Algerian Olympic Committee (COA) headquarters in Algiers, including International Olympic Committee (IOC) honorary member Mustapha Larfaoui, a film was played about Algerian Olympic history, which began in 1964 in Tokyo and has since included 15 medals, five of them gold.

Coming just two years after independence was declared from France, gymnast Mohamed Lazhar-Yamani, who had represented the French four years earlier in Rome, was the new nation's first and only competitor, finishing 91st in the all-round competition.

Now aged 76, Lazhar-Yamani was honoured during the celebrations, while the National Olympic Order of Merit was awarded posthumously to former football player and coach Smail Khabatou, who died last month.

Hassiba Boulmerka won Algeria's first Olympic gold medal, 28 years after their debut, in the women's 1500 metres at Barcelona 1992 ©Getty ImagesHassiba Boulmerka won Algeria's first Olympic gold medal, 28 years after their debut, in the women's 1500 metres at Barcelona 1992 ©Getty Images



Three pillars of the Algerian media, the Algeria Press Service, the National Company of Radio Broadcasting, and Public Televsion Company, were also recognised for their longstanding Olympic coverage.

COA President Mustapha Berraf said he was "honoured" to celebrate those "people who have always had an unwavering and constant Algerian Olympic and sports movement support."

"These figures have always manifested their availability at all our requests to deliver the messages of our Olympic sports and universal values," he added.

"The testimony of recognition of the COA is the way to honor these iconic figures whose paths justify an award of this magnitude."