Beginnings

Youcef Abdi was born in Azazga, Algeria, and moved to Australia as a teenager. He obtained Australian citizenship in 2000. He represented Algeria in 1996 at the World Junior Championships until he changed his allegiance to Australia in 2000 and represented his new country in the Oceania Championships. He has been involved in the Bankstown Sports Athletics Club for over two decades and is still actively involved as a current director on the board.

Achievements

Youcef competed in the Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002 and won a bronze medal for the 1500m. He also represented Australia in the 2006 and 2010 Commonwealth Games where he achieved sixth place in the 3000m steeplechase final in Beijing in 2008. Youcef also competed in the 2012 London Olympic Games in the 3000m steeplechase. He competed in the World Athletics Championships in the 3000m steeplechase in Paris in 2003, in Osaka in 2007, Berlin in 2009 and Daegu in 2011. Youcef was the number two all-time Australian 3000m steeplechaser.

Post Representation

Youcef was the key architect in the establishment of Bankstown Sports Athletics Club's Little Athletics program four years ago. This followed the disaffiliation from Little Athletics NSW of the former entity Bankstown Sports Little Athletics Club. Youcef was elected to the original BSAC board of directors in 2021 and remains a director. He plays an ongoing, pivotal role in Bankstown Sports Athletics Club's operations. He was at the forefront of establishing the Albie Thomas Mile – now the Australian Mile Championships –held annually at the Crest.