View source for Saif Saaeed Shaheen

{{Short description|Qatari-Kenyan long-distance runner}}
{{Use Kenyan English|date=July 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox sportsperson
| honorific_prefix =
| name             = Saif Saaeed Shaheen
| honorific_suffix =
| image            = Saif saaeed shaheen.jpg
| image_size       = <!-- Use only when absolutely necessary -->
| alt              =
| caption          = Shaheen in 2009
| headercolor      =
| textcolor        =
| <!-- Personal information -->
| native_name      =
| native_name_lang =
| birth_name       = Stephen Cheruiyot Cherono
| fullname         =
| nickname         =
| nationality      =
| ethnicity        =
| citizenship      = [[Qatari]] <small>(from August 2003)<ref name=passport1>{{cite web|title=Kenya: Saif Saaeed Shaheen: How And Why I Dumped Kenyan Passport|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/200506020226.html|website=allafrica.com|publisher=[[International Association of Athletics Federations]]|access-date=16 June 2015}}</ref></small><br />[[Kenyan]]<ref name=passport2>{{cite web|title=Kenyan turns into a Qatar hero: Cherono wins under another name and flag|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/aug/27/athletics.richardwilliams|website=[[The Guardian]]|date=27 August 2003|access-date=16 June 2015|archive-date=11 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911222049/http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/aug/27/athletics.richardwilliams|url-status=live}}</ref> <small>(Until August 2003)</small>
| birth_date       = {{birth date and age|1982|10|15|df=yes}}<ref name=iaaf>{{cite web|title=Saif Saeed Shaheen|url=http://www.iaaf.org/athletes/qatar/saif-saaeed-shaheen-171720#biography|website=iaaf.org|publisher=[[Daily Nation]]|access-date=9 November 2019|archive-date=7 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407175305/https://www.iaaf.org/athletes/qatar/saif-saaeed-shaheen-171720#biography|url-status=live}}</ref>
| birth_place      = Kamelilo Village, Iron Location, [[Keiyo District]], Rift Valley Province, Kenya<ref name=iaaf/>
| death_date       = <!-- {{death date and age|df=yes|death year|death month|death day|birth year|birth month|birth day}} -->
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| height           = {{height|cm=174}}<ref name=iaaf/><ref name=espn>{{cite web|title=Saif Saeed Shaheen|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer08/fanguide/athlete?athlete=58356|website=[[ESPN]]|access-date=16 June 2015|archive-date=20 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220093544/http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer08/fanguide/athlete?athlete=58356|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| weight           = {{convert|60|kg|lb}}<ref name=iaaf/><ref name=espn/>
| spouse           = Monica Kangogo
| life_partner     =
| other_interests  =
| website          = <!-- {{URL|www.example.com}} -->
| module           =
| <!-- Sport -->
| country          =
| sport            = Athletics
| position         =
| disability       =
| disability_class =
| weight_class     =
| weight_class_type =
| rank             =
| event            = 3000 m steeplechase<br />3000 m<br />5000 m<br />Cross country
| event_type       =
| collegeteam      =
| universityteam   =
| league           =
| league_type      =
| club             =
| team             =
| turnedpro        =
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| retired          = 2016
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| module2          =
| <!-- Achievements and titles -->
| worlds           =
| regionals        =
| nationals        =
| olympics         =
| paralympics      =
| commonwealth     =
| highestranking   =
| pb               =
| <!-- Medal record -->
| show-medals      =
| medaltemplates   =
{{Medal|Sport | Men's [[Athletics (sport)|Athletics]]}}
{{Medal|Country|{{QAT}}}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[IAAF World Championships in Athletics|World Championships]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2003 World Championships in Athletics|2003 Paris]]|[[2003 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 3000 metres steeplechase|3000 m st.]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2005 World Championships in Athletics|2005 Helsinki]]|[[2005 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 3000 metres steeplechase|3000 m st.]]}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[IAAF World Indoor Championships|World Indoor Championships]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[2006 IAAF World Indoor Championships|2006 Moscow]]|[[2006 IAAF World Indoor Championships – Men's 3000 metres|3000 m]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Asian Athletics Championships|Asian Championships]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[2003 Asian Athletics Championships|2003 Manila]]|[[2003 Asian Athletics Championships – Men's 1500 metres|1500 m]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|2003 Manila|[[2003 Asian Athletics Championships – Men's 5000 metres|5000 m]]}}
{{Medal|Country|{{KEN}}}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[World Youth Championships in Athletics|World Youth Championships]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[1999 World Youth Championships in Athletics|1999 Bydgoszcz]]|[[1999 World Youth Championships in Athletics|2000 m st.]]}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[Commonwealth Games]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[2002 Commonwealth Games|2002 Manchester]]|[[Athletics at the 2002 Commonwealth Games – Men's 3000 metres steeplechase|3000 m st.]]}}
| medaltemplates-title =
| module3          =
| updated          = 4 May 2018
}}

'''Saif Saaeed Shaheen''' ({{langx|ar|سيف سعيد شاهين}}), formerly '''Stephen Cherono''' (born 15 October 1982), is a retired [[Steeplechase (athletics)|steeplechase]] runner.  He was born in [[Keiyo]], [[Kenya]] but now he represents [[Qatar]]. He was, for 19 years, the [[World records in athletics|world record]] holder for 3000 metre steeplechase.<ref>[https://worldathletics.org/competitions/diamond-league/news/paris-kipyegon-girma-ingebrigtsen-5000m-steeplechase-two-miles-world-record-best Kipyegon, Girma and Ingebrigtsen make history in Paris]</ref> He is a two time [[IAAF World Championships in Athletics|World Champion]] in the event. His older brother [[Abraham Cherono]] is also a steeplechase runner.

He was the 1999 World Youth Champion in the steeplechase and set a [[List of world junior records in athletics|world junior record]] two years later. He won the steeplechase at the [[2002 Commonwealth Games]] for Kenya but [[List of eligibility transfers in athletics|switched allegiance]] to Qatar in 2003. That year he became world champion in the event, although a dispute with the Kenyan Athletics Federation meant he was ineligible to compete at the [[2004 Summer Olympics]]. He set a world record of 7:53.63 minutes in Brussels just ten days after the Olympic final, and later defeated that year's Olympic champion, [[Ezekiel Kemboi]], at the [[2004 World Athletics Final]] in Monaco.

In the 2006 season he took the [[3000 metres]] silver medal at the [[2006 IAAF World Indoor Championships]] and also set a number of [[List of Asian records in athletics|Asian record]]s. He completed a 5000&nbsp;m/steeplechase double at the [[2006 IAAF World Cup]]. Serious injuries ruled him out from late 2006 to 2008. He returned in 2009 and 2010 but failed to reach the same level of performance and retired from the sport.

==Early competition for Kenya==
Stephen Cheruiyot Cherono was born and raised in Kenya, showing athletic ability from a young age.  He initially made his mark on the international stage with a win at the [[1999 World Youth Championships in Athletics]] over the 2000 metre [[steeplechase (athletics)|steeplechase]]. After the death of his coach and manager Kim McDonald in 2001, he started training under Italian coach Renato Canova, who was already the coach of his elder brother [[Christopher Koskei|Christopher Kosgei]]. Christopher was the 3000 metre SC World Champion in 1999. The first success of this collaboration was breaking the World Junior Record in Brussels in 2001. As of May, 2017 his time of 7:58.66 was still the WJR. He then went on to win the 3000 metre SC in both the [[2003 World Championships in Athletics|2003]] and [[2005 World Championships in Athletics|2005]].{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

He then decided to try the 5000 metres. At the 2003 Golden Spike, in Ostrava, Czech Republic, he ran 12:48.81. He won the race and defeated previous World Champion [[Hicham El Guerrouj]] by nearly a second and a half. At the time, it was the 7th fastest time ever run (with only Haile Gebrselassie and Daniel Komen running faster times) and he is still one of only 30 men who have ever run under 12:50 for 5000 metres.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}}

==Move to Qatar==
Cherono moved from Kenya to Qatar in 2003, along with fellow Kenyan [[Albert Chepkurui]]. Changing his name from Stephen Cherono to Saif Saaeed Shaheen, he was reported to have received up to [[US$]]1 million to become a Qatari [[Citizenship|citizen]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/23/sports/track-and-field-a-runner-changes-his-flag-for-cash.html|title=TRACK AND FIELD; A Runner Changes His Flag For Cash|first=Jere|last=Longman|work=The New York Times|date=23 August 2003|via=NYTimes.com|access-date=20 February 2017|archive-date=28 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828170543/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/23/sports/track-and-field-a-runner-changes-his-flag-for-cash.html|url-status=live}}</ref> although he denied this. Some reports stated that he had been given [[US$]]1,000 every month for the rest of his life for his change of nationality. After about 40 athletes had left the country, President [[Mwai Kibaki]] made a speech before the [[2005 World Championships in Athletics|2005 World Championships]] in which he said "Let us resist the temptation to change our citizenship for financial gains."<ref name=Switch>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110718113811/http://worldnewssite.com/News/2005/August/2005-08-03--65.html Kenya's President Urges Athletes to Stay]}}. Nairobi World News (2005-08-03). Retrieved on 2010-10-16.</ref>

Shaheen began his international career for Qatar by winning two medals at the [[2003 Asian Athletics Championships]], taking silvers over 1500&nbsp;m and 5000&nbsp;m. When he won the steeplechase at the [[2003 World Championships in Athletics]] in Paris, his brother, who was also in the race, walked off the track and did not congratulate him due to his defection to Qatar.

Shaheen was barred from competing in the [[2004 Olympic Games]] due to an [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC) rule that athletes may not compete in international events for three years after competing in an international event for a different country.  This rule may be waived if the athlete and the governing athletics bodies from the two countries involved agree that it should be; [[Athletics Kenya]] did not agree.<ref>[http://www.legalaffairs.org/issues/July-August-2004/scene_maulhauser_julaug04.msp Why can't Stephen Cherono race for Qatar?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914053214/http://www.legalaffairs.org/issues/July-August-2004/scene_maulhauser_julaug04.msp |date=14 September 2016 }} legalaffairs.org (2004-07). Retrieved on 2016-12-07.</ref>  Kenyan runner [[Ezekiel Kemboi]] won the Olympic steeplechase race that year.

Shaheen's move is a prominent example of increasing [[globalization]] in athletics, as countries such as Qatar and [[Bahrain]], also a Persian Gulf State, have persuaded high-profile African athletes to change nationalities. This marked a change of motivation in athlete transfers, in contrast, for example, to the politically motivated change of [[Zola Budd]], or the marriage and emigration issues that led [[Wilson Kipketer]] to compete for Denmark.<ref>[http://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1023133/exclusive-middle-distance-legend-kipketer-warns-of-dangers-of-athletes-switching-nationality Kipketer warns of dangers in switching nationality] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807235138/http://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1023133/exclusive-middle-distance-legend-kipketer-warns-of-dangers-of-athletes-switching-nationality |date=7 August 2016 }}. insidethegames.biz(2014-10-09). Retrieved on 2016-11-07.</ref>  IOC President [[Jacques Rogge]] has also raised concerns about athletes moving between countries, stating that, "What is bad is countries or organizations wanting to buy athletes just for the money."<ref>Mulhauser, Dana. [http://www.legalaffairs.org/printerfriendly.msp?id=598 On Your Marks. Set. Go Home!] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120804083021/http://www.legalaffairs.org/printerfriendly.msp?id=598 |date=2012-08-04 }}. ''Legal Affairs''. Retrieved on 2010-10-16.</ref>

Sympathy has been expressed for Shaheen's move, with the former 3,000 metre steeplechase world record holder, Kenyan [[Moses Kiptanui]], stating "We have seen a lot of athletes who were running in the 1968 Olympics or 1974 until maybe last year, some of them, they are living in a very, very sparse state. They are very poor despite the fact they have done great things for this country".<ref name=Switch/>

==Competing for Qatar==
He was eighth in the long race and fourth in the short race at the [[2005 IAAF World Cross Country Championships]], leading Qatar to the team bronze on both occasions. On the track later that year he became the steeplechase world champion with a win at the [[2005 World Championships in Athletics]], defeating his Kenyan rivals Kemboi and Kipruto. He began the following year by running an [[List of Asian records in athletics|Asian indoor record]] to win the [[3000 metres]] gold medal at the [[2006 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships]]. Moving on to the global stage, he ran in the event at the [[2006 IAAF World Indoor Championships]] and took the silver medal, losing to [[Kenenisa Bekele]] by two seconds. This was his first global indoor medal but he was not happy with his race tactics: "That was not very intelligent of me. I knew exactly when Kenenisa would start his kick and I planned to be close to him at that time. But I wasn't."<ref>[http://www.iaaf.org/history/WIC/season=2006/eventCode=3483/news/kind=108/newsid=33902.html Men's 3000m Final] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230114001038/https://www.worldathletics.org/news |date=14 January 2023 }}. [[IAAF]] (2006-03-12). Retrieved on 2010-10-15.</ref>

In the outdoor season he took two wins on the [[2006 IAAF Golden League]], taking the steeplechase races at the [[Weltklasse Zurich]] and [[Memorial van Damme]] meetings. He was selected to represent Asia at the [[2006 IAAF World Cup]] and completed a double by taking the 5000&nbsp;m title and then setting a championship record to win in his steeplechase speciality. Shaheen was the first runner to medal in both events at the same competition, let alone win the double.<ref>Nakamura, Ken (2006-09-20). [http://www.iaaf.org/history/WCP/season=2006/eventCode=3490/news/kind=100/newsid=36357.html Historic Shaheen – IAAF World Cup in Athletics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100910073326/http://www.iaaf.org/history/WCP/season=2006/eventCode=3490/news/kind=100/newsid=36357.html |date=10 September 2010 }}. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 2010-10-15.</ref>

His successful season came at a price as, after ignoring doctor's orders, the [[tendinitis]] in his [[patella]] worsened and an [[Achilles tendon]] injury doubled his health difficulties. As a result, he missed a number of major competitions, including the [[2006 Asian Games]], the [[2007 World Championships in Athletics]] and the [[2008 Beijing Olympics]]. He began finding it difficult to walk for long periods and underwent treatment with renowned sports injury specialist [[Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt]]. A possible comeback in 2008 turned out to be a write-off as he pulled up in pain in circuit races in Athens and Eugene, Oregon.<ref name=Focus>Shaban, Saddique (2009-03-24). [http://www.iaaf.org/news/athletes/newsid=52483.html Focus on Athletes - Saif Saaeed Shaheen] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224164838/http://www.iaaf.org/news/athletes/newsid=52483.html |date=24 December 2010 }}. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 2010-10-15.</ref>

He came back into competition in early 2009. He won the [[Cinque Mulini]] race and set his sights upon the [[2009 IAAF World Cross Country Championships]].<ref name=Focus/> Although not at his best, his thirteenth-place finish at the competition to head the Qatari team to fifth in the rankings marked his return to the top level.<ref>[http://www.iaaf.org/wxc09/results/eventCode=4140/sex=M/discCode=XSE/combCode=hash/roundCode=f/results.html#det 2009 World XC Championships Senior Race - M Final] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610094849/http://www.iaaf.org/wxc09/results/eventCode=4140/sex=M/discCode=XSE/combCode=hash/roundCode=f/results.html |date=2010-06-10 }}. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 2010-10-16.</ref> When he returned to the track he set a personal best in the [[3000 metres]] at the [[Qatar Athletic Super Grand Prix]], running 7:32.46 for fourth place.<ref>Butcher, Pat (2009-05-08). [http://www.iaaf.org/GP09/news/kind=100/newsid=50486.html 13 world leads in Doha - IAAF World Athletics Tour - UPDATED] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022020342/http://www.iaaf.org/GP09/news/kind=100/newsid=50486.html |date=22 October 2012 }}. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 2010-10-16.</ref> At the [[2009 World Championships in Athletics]], however, he was far from the form which brought him a world record. He finished eleventh in his 5000&nbsp;m heat and was eliminated in the first round.<ref>Jalava, Mirko (2009-08-20). [http://berlin.iaaf.org/news/kind=108/newsid=53606.html Event Report - Men's 5000m - Heats] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822185846/http://berlin.iaaf.org/news/kind=108/newsid=53606.html |date=2009-08-22 }}. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 2010-10-16.</ref>

He competed in his first elite [[road running|road race]] in 2010, running at the [[Belgrade Race Through History]]. He finished the difficult 6&nbsp;km course in 16:57, which was enough for fourth place behind [[Stephen Tum]].<ref>Butcher, Pat (2010-10-13). [http://www.iaaf.org/news/kind=100/newsid=58510.html Menjo takes five seconds off course record in Belgrade] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101016045227/http://www.iaaf.org/news/kind=100/newsid=58510.html |date=16 October 2010 }}. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 2010-10-15.</ref> A runner-up finish followed at the [[Great South Run]] 10-miler followed two weeks later, where he was second only to [[Joseph Ebuya]] who recorded the fastest ever time in the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>Martin, Dave (2010-10-24). [http://www.iaaf.org/LRR10/news/newsid=58578.html Ebuya clocks the fastest ever 10 Miles in UK] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101026090015/http://www.iaaf.org/LRR10/news/newsid=58578.html |date=26 October 2010 }}. [[IAAF]]. Retrieved on 2010-10-24.</ref>

==Retirement==

He did not compete at top level after 2010 and Shaheen announced his formal retirement from international competition in February 2016, citing a long-term achilles tendon injury. Shaheen returned to live in [[Eldoret]], Kenya to run a family business.<ref>[http://www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com/qatars-shaheen-calls-quits/ Retirement announcement] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817114024/http://www.dohastadiumplusqatar.com/qatars-shaheen-calls-quits/ |date=2016-08-17 }}. dohastadiumplusqatar.com (2016-29-02) Retrieved on 2016-11-07.</ref>

==International competitions==
{| {{AchievementTable|Event=yes}}
|-
|1999
|[[1999 World Youth Championships in Athletics|World Youth Championships]]
|[[Bydgoszcz]], Poland
|bgcolor=gold|1st
|[[1999 World Youth Championships in Athletics – Boys' 2000 metres steeplechase|2000 m steeplechase]]
|5:31.89
|-
|rowspan=2|2001
|[[Athletics at the 2001 Goodwill Games|Goodwill Games]]
|[[Brisbane]], Australia
|bgcolor=gold|1st
|[[Athletics at the 2001 Goodwill Games – Results|3000 m steeplechase]]
|8:19.98
|-
|[[2001 IAAF Grand Prix Final|Grand Prix Final]]
|[[Melbourne]], Australia
|bgcolor=cc9966|3rd
|[[2001 IAAF Grand Prix Final – Results|3000 m steeplechase]]
|8:18.85
|-
|rowspan=2|2002
|[[Athletics at the 2002 Commonwealth Games|Commonwealth Games]]
|[[Manchester]], United Kingdom
|bgcolor=gold|1st
|[[Athletics at the 2002 Commonwealth Games – Men's 3000 metres steeplechase|3000 m steeplechase]]
|8:19.41
|-
|[[2002 African Championships in Athletics|African Championships]]
|[[Tunis]], Tunisia
|bgcolor=cc9966|3rd
|[[2002 African Championships in Athletics – Men's 3000 metres steeplechase|3000 m steeplechase]]
|8:23.85
|-
|rowspan=6|2003
|rowspan=2|[[European Champion Clubs Cup (athletics)|European Champion Clubs Cup]]
|rowspan=2|[[Valencia]], Spain
|bgcolor=gold|1st
|5000 m
|13:48.97
|-
|bgcolor=gold|1st
|3000 m steeplechase
|8:16.44
|-
|[[2003 World Championships in Athletics|World Championships]]
|[[Paris]], France
|bgcolor=gold|1st
|[[2003 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 3000 metres steeplechase|3000 m steeplechase]]
|8:04.39
|-
|[[2003 IAAF World Athletics Final|World Athletics Final]]
|[[Monte Carlo]], Monaco
|bgcolor=gold|1st
|[[2003 IAAF World Athletics Final – Results|3000 m steeplechase]]
|7:57.38
|-
|rowspan=2|[[2003 Asian Athletics Championships|Asian Championships]]
|rowspan=2|[[Manila]], Philippines
|bgcolor=silver|2nd
|[[2003 Asian Athletics Championships – Men's 1500 metres|1500 m]]
|3:42.79
|-
|bgcolor=silver|2nd
|[[2003 Asian Athletics Championships – Men's 5000 metres|5000 m]]
|13:58.92
|-
|rowspan=7|2004
|rowspan=2|[[2004 IAAF World Cross Country Championships|World Cross Country Championships]]
|rowspan=2|[[Brussels]], Belgium
|5th
|[[2004 IAAF World Cross Country Championships – Men's short race|Short race]]
|11:44
|-
|bgcolor=silver|2nd
|Team
|39 pts
|-
|rowspan=2|[[World Military Cross Country Championships]]
|rowspan=2|[[Beirut]], Lebanon
|bgcolor=gold|1st
|Short race
|13:04
|-
|bgcolor=gold|1st
|Team
|
|-
|rowspan=2|[[European Champion Clubs Cup (athletics)|European Champion Clubs Cup]]
|rowspan=2|[[Moscow]], Russia
|bgcolor=gold|1st
|5000 m
|13:55.08
|-
|bgcolor=gold|1st
|3000 m steeplechase
|8:33.75
|-
|[[2004 IAAF World Athletics Final|World Athletics Final]]
|[[Monte Carlo]], Monaco
|bgcolor=gold|1st
|[[2004 IAAF World Athletics Final – Results|3000 m steeplechase]]
|7:56.94
|-
|rowspan=5|2005
|rowspan=4|[[2005 IAAF World Cross Country Championships|World Cross Country Championships]]
|rowspan=4|[[Saint-Étienne]], France
|4th
|[[2005 IAAF World Cross Country Championships – Men's short race|Short race]]
|11:42
|-
|bgcolor=cc9966|3rd
|Team
|32 pts
|-
|8th
|[[2005 IAAF World Cross Country Championships – Senior men's race|Senior race]]
|35:53
|-
|bgcolor=cc9966|3rd
|Team
|42 pts
|-
|[[2005 World Championships in Athletics|World Championships]]
|[[Helsinki]], Finland
|bgcolor=gold|1st
|[[2005 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 3000 metres steeplechase|3000 m steeplechase]]
|8:13.31
|-
|rowspan=6|2006
|[[2006 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships|Asian Indoor Championships]]
|[[Pattaya]], Thailand
|bgcolor=gold|1st
|[[2006 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships – Results|3000 m]]
|7:39.77
|-
|[[2006 IAAF World Indoor Championships|World Indoor Championships]]
|[[Moscow]], Russia
|bgcolor=silver|2nd
|[[2006 IAAF World Indoor Championships – Men's 3000 metres|3000 m]]
|7:41.28
|-
|rowspan=2|[[2006 IAAF World Cross Country Championships|World Cross Country Championships]]
|rowspan=2|[[Fukuoka]], Japan
|9th
|[[2006 IAAF World Cross Country Championships – Men's short race|Short race]]
|11:08
|-
|4th
|Team
|66 pts
|-
|rowspan=2|[[2006 IAAF World Cup|World Cup]]
|rowspan=2|[[Athens]], Greece
|bgcolor=gold|1st
|[[2006 IAAF World Cup – Results|5000 m]]
|13:35.30
|-
|bgcolor=gold|1st
|[[2006 IAAF World Cup – Results|3000 m steeplechase]]
|8:19.09
|-
|rowspan=2|2009
|[[2009 IAAF World Cross Country Championships|World Cross Country Championships]]
|[[Amman]], Jordan
|13th
|[[2009 IAAF World Cross Country Championships – Senior men's race|Senior race]]
|35:28
|-
|[[2009 World Championships in Athletics|World Championships]]
|[[Berlin]], Germany
|11th (h)
|[[2009 World Championships in Athletics – Men's 5000 metres|5000 m]]
|13:26.35
|}

==National titles==
* [[Kenyan Athletics Championships]]
** 3000 m steeplechase: 2002

==Circuit wins==
;2000 m steeplechase
* [[Qatar Athletic Super Grand Prix]]: 2005

;3000 m steeplechase
* [[Notturna di Milano]]: 2002
* [[Tsiklitiria]]: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
* [[Weltklasse Zürich]]: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
* [[Meeting Gaz de France]]: 2003
* [[DN Galan]]: 2003
* [[Memorial Van Damme]]: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
* [[Golden Spike Ostrava]]: 2004
* [[Golden Gala]]: 2005

;3000 m
* [[BW-Bank Meeting]]: 2010

;5000 m
* [[Golden Spike Ostrava]]: 2003

;Cross country
* [[Cinque Mulini]]: 2005, 2009

==Personal bests==
* [[1500 metres]] – 3:33.51 (2006)
* [[2000 metres]] – 5:03.06 (2001)
* [[3000 metres]] – 7:32.46 (2009)
* [[Two miles]] – 8:18.80 (1999)
* [[5000 metres]] – 12:48.81 (2003) {{AthAbbr|NR|Qatari}}
* [[2000 metres steeplechase]] – 5:14.53 (2005) {{AthAbbr|AR|Asian}} {{AthAbbr|NR|Qatari}}
* [[3000 metres steeplechase]] – 7:53.63 (2004) {{AthAbbr|WR}} {{AthAbbr|WU23B}} {{AthAbbr|AR|Asian}} {{AthAbbr|NR|Qatari}}
* [[10 miles]] – 46:37 (2010)

Shaheen also holds the [[List of world under-20 records in athletics|world under-20 record]] for the steeplechase at 7:58.66 minutes, set in 2001

==See also==
{{Portal|Athletics}}
* [[List of eligibility transfers in athletics]]
* [[List of World Championships in Athletics medalists (men)]]
* [[List of Commonwealth Games medallists in athletics (men)]]
* [[Kenya at the World Championships in Athletics]]
* [[List of Qatar-related topics]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Saif Saaeed Shaheen}}
* [http://www.legalaffairs.org/issues/July-August-2004/scene_mulhauser_julaug04.html Legal Affairs article 2004]

{{s-start}}
{{s-ach|rec}}
{{succession box|before=[[Brahim Boulami]]|title=[[Steeplechase (athletics)#World record progression|Men's Steeplechase World Record Holder]]|years=3 September 2004 — |after=[[Incumbent]]}}
{{s-sports}}
{{succession box|before=[[Salah Hissou]]|title=[[5000 metres#Men's seasons best (outdoor track)|Men's 5000 m Best Year Performance]]|years=2003|after=[[Kenenisa Bekele]]}}
{{succession box|before=[[Brahim Boulami]]|title=[[Steeplechase (athletics)#Men's seasons best (outdoor)|Men's 3000 m Steeple Best Year Performance]]|years=2003-2006|after=[[Paul Kipsiele Koech]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{Footer World Champions 3000 m steeplechase Men}}
{{Footer Commonwealth Champions Steeple Men}}
{{Footer IAAF World Cup Champions 5000m Men}}
{{Footer IAAF World Cup Champions 3000m Steeplechase Men}}
{{Footer IAAF World Youth Champions 2000 Metres Steeplechase Men}}
{{Footer Asian Indoor Champions men's 3000 metres}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shaheen, Said Saaeef}}
[[Category:1982 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Athletes from Elgeyo-Marakwet County]]
[[Category:Kenyan male long-distance runners]]
[[Category:Qatari male middle-distance runners]]
[[Category:Kenyan male steeplechase runners]]
[[Category:Qatari male steeplechase runners]]
[[Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 2002 Commonwealth Games]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games gold medallists for Kenya]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games athletes for Kenya]]
[[Category:Goodwill Games medalists in athletics]]
[[Category:World Athletics Championships athletes for Qatar]]
[[Category:World Athletics Championships medalists]]
[[Category:World Athletics record holders]]
[[Category:Naturalized citizens of Qatar]]
[[Category:Kenyan emigrants to Qatar]]
[[Category:Qatari people of Kenyan descent]]
[[Category:World Athletics Championships winners]]
[[Category:Asian Indoor Athletics Championships winners]]
[[Category:Competitors at the 2001 Goodwill Games]]
[[Category:Medallists at the 2002 Commonwealth Games]]
[[Category:Naturalised athletes]]
[[Category:21st-century Kenyan sportsmen]]
[[Category:21st-century Qatari sportsmen]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games gold medallists in athletics]]