Reigning world and Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali won the 3000-meter steeplechase final on Wednesday at the Stade de France, clocking a time of 8:06 at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
A tricky race in which the risk of a fall had to be carefully managed. Ethiopian athlete Lamecha Girma stumbled over a hurdle on the last lap.
Moroccan Mohamed Tindouft launched an attack to disrupt the leading pack. American Kenneth Rooks responded with a blistering acceleration. But Soufiane El Bakkali's superior finishing skills gave his rivals no chance.
??? Quel finish de #Soufiane_El_Bakkali avec une accélération foudroyante qui ne laisse aucune chance à ses concurrents ?#Paris2024 #Maroc pic.twitter.com/tIYrKPjnxT
— Yabiladi.com (@yabiladi_fr) August 7, 2024
Speaking to Arryadia television channel, Soufiane El Bakkali praised Mohamed Tindouft's efforts against the Ethiopians: «The Ethiopians had a race plan to defeat me. During the race, I communicated with Tindouft to counter them. He took matters into his own hands. He sacrificed himself. The pressure was on the others, but I am the world champion».
?️| #سفيان_البقالي بعد تحقيق الميدالية الذهبية ?في سباق 3000 متر " أهدي اللقب الأولمبي لصاحب الجلالة الملك محمد السادس نصره الله"#فرنسا#الألعاب_الأولمبية_باريس2024#Paris2024 #football #FRMF #JO2024
Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football
Équipe du Maroc Paris 2024 pic.twitter.com/39tW1pQBba— Arryadia TV (@arryadiatv) August 7, 2024
Morocco's El Bakkali, the undisputed master of the 3000-meter steeplechase, secured the first medal for Morocco and successfully defended his Olympic title (Tokyo Games). He has now become the first Moroccan athlete to win two gold medals in different Olympic Games. Hicham El Guerrouj also won two gold medals, but in the same Olympic edition.