Hicham El Guerrouj has started his quest for a historic double by claiming his fourth straight men's 1,500 metres crown at the World Athletic Championships.

The 28-year-old Moroccan repelled the challenge of Frenchman Mehdi Baala on his way to a winning time of three minutes 31.77 seconds at the Stade de France on Wednesday and will now chase another gold in the 5,000 metres.

No athlete has ever won titles for both those distances at one major event since Finland's Paavo Nurmi in the 1924 Paris Olympics.

Baala delighted the home fans by taking the silver medal in 3:32.31 but he could not keep pace with El Guerrouj, who jumped into the lead after 600 metres and then took control.

Ivan Heshko of Ukraine won the bronze in 3:33.17.

El Guerrouj will be back in action at the Stade de France on Thursday for the 5,000 metres heats. The final will be the highlight of the closing day on Sunday.