2012 Olympic Champion Taoufik Makhloufi Returns to Racing After Nearly Three Years

By Adam Kopet

Taoufik Makhloufi of Algeria ran his first race in nearly three years Tuesday at the Meeting de Sotteville in Sotteville les Rouen, France.

The 2012 Olympic 1,500-meter champion and 2016 Olympic 800 and 1,500-meter silver medalist had not raced since Sept. 2016. Tuesday, he competed in the 800 meters, finishing second in 1:46.33. Kenya's Alfred Kipketer won the race in 1:45.59.

Makhloufi owns personal bests of 1:42.61 for 800 meters from the 2016 Olympics and 3:28.75 for 1,500 meters from the 2015 Monaco Diamond League meeting.

Also in Sotteville les Rouen, Tobi Amusan of Nigeria won the 100-meter hurdles in a personal-best 12.49. That places her third in the world this year. Queen Claye finished second in a season's best 12.63.

On the field, a pair of Cuban throwers dominated the women's discus, with both surpassing 69 meters. Yaimé Perez won with a personal best and world-leading 227-8 (69.39m). Denia Caballero equaled Perez's opening mark of 226-7 (69.08m), but was unable to improve during the competition.

The IAAF has a full recap of the action at the Meeting de Sotteville.