German Ironman Champion and Local Munich Patriot

Faris al-Sultan is the winner of this year's Ironman contest, the world's most difficult triathlon. What's more, the 27-year-old son of an Iraqi and a German is also a student of history and Middle Eastern culture. A portrait by Thomas Hahn

photo: Faris-al-Sultan.de
Faris al-Sultan at the finishing line at this year's Ironman contest, waving the flag of his home-state of Bavaria

​​You couldn't help noticing his flag when Faris Al-Sultan crossed the finish line on Alii Drive in Kona, Hawaii. After a 3.8-kilometer swim, a 180-kilometer bicycle ride, and a run of 42.195 kilometers, Al-Sultan finished first in the Ironman contest, the world's most difficult triathlon, completing the event in 8:14:17 hours.

This makes him the third German winner in the history of the Ironman and a new leading figure among endurance athletes.

In his victory pose, the German black, red, and gold were nowhere to be seen. Instead, Al-Sultan was adorned with the blue and white diamond-latticed flag of his native city of Munich. A year ago, when he achieved third place in the contest, he also waved this flag, although at the time, many took it to be a public relations stunt.

Life rooted in the 'Moosach' community

photo: Faris-al-Sultan.de
Al-Sultan, student of Middle Eastern culture, dressed in a traditional dishdasha

​​It was as if Al-Sultan, the 27-year-old son of an Iraqi and still living at home with his parents in the Munich district of Moosach, wanted to play local hero. Yet, Faris Al-Sultan has more in mind. He says, "I stand as a symbol for the integration of foreigners in Germany."

Morals play an important role for Al-Sultan. Almost demonstrably, he lives his life rooted in his community, whether it be as a member of the Munich running group or as a student of history and Middle Eastern culture at Munich's Ludwig Maximilians University.

One issue close to his heart is that of the commercialization of his sport, which he feels has taken on extreme proportions. This strikingly sets him apart from other German triathlon professionals, including last year's winner, Normann Stadler, for example, who quickly let themselves be professionally marketed.

Moral standards as a shield

Moral standards also serve Faris Al-Sultan as a shield against the suspicion that follows every endurance athlete. He takes the offensive on the issue of doping, publicly criticizing that there is too little control and that there are discrepancies in the fight against doping.

There is even a link on his web page titled "Faris Al-Sultan on Doping," where he states, "I (no longer) harbor any illusions about clean professional sports."

16-year-old "marathon man"

His athletic career began early and has followed a steady course. He had already run his first marathon with 16, although he falsely declared his age, as the rules stated that he was too young for the rigors of a 42.195-kilometer run. He survived his first Ironman when he was 19. This was in Lanzarote, as the minimum age for the long-distance triathlon in Germany then was set at 21.

In 2000, he became the first German champion. Soon, he was regarded as the up-coming successor to such aging victors as Jürgen Zäck and Thomas Hellriegel.

His success in Hawaii, therefore, came as no surprise. This spring, he specially traveled to Arizona for a less intense Ironman, hoping to taste the feeling of victory. He succeeded. Now, he has finally achieved the rank of champion, and Faris Al-Sultan, in all modesty, will certainly enjoy his growing popularity.

It does have its advantages, even with respect to his studies. He recently showed up late for his Hebrew course. He wanted to excuse himself, but it turned out not to be necessary. The professor said that he had read about Al-Sultan in the newspaper.

Thomas Hahn

© Süddeutsche Zeitung/Qantara.de 2005

Translated from the German by John Bergeron

Qantara.de

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Website Faris al-Sultan (in German)