Soufiane El Bakkali Aims for Gold in 3000m Steeplechase Heats
All eyes are on Moroccan steeplechase star Soufiane El Bakkali as he prepares to compete in the first round of the men’s 3000m steeplechase. The race, scheduled for Monday at 6 PM Moroccan time (GMT+1), carries the weight of a nation’s hopes as El Bakkali sets his sights on Olympic glory.
El Bakkali is no stranger to the podium. He already holds the title of Olympic champion, having secured gold in the Tokyo 2020 games. A victory in this event would be a historic achievement, marking Morocco’s first gold medal in the 2024 Olympics and only the second time in history the nation has achieved such a feat. This win would also place El Bakkali alongside Moroccan legend Hicham El Guerrouj, who achieved double gold in both the 1500m and 5000m races at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
El Bakkali’s confidence is backed by an impressive track record. He currently holds the ninth fastest time in the history of the 3000m steeplechase, clocking in at an incredible 7 minutes and 56.68 seconds at the Rabat Diamond League meeting in May 2023. This time places him second only to fellow countryman Brahim Boulami’s national record of 7:55.28, set in Brussels back in 2001.
Adding to the excitement, El Bakkali will be joined by fellow Moroccans Mohamed Tindouft and Mustapha Fard. The three athletes will be pushing their limits, aiming to secure their spots in the highly anticipated final.
