Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali successfully defended his title in the men’s 3000m steeplechase at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, capturing his fourth successive global title in the event.
Competing in just his second race of the year, El Bakkali surged ahead in a frenetic final lap to win with a time of 8:06.05.
The race saw a dramatic turn of events, with USA’s Kenneth Rooks taking a surprise silver medal in a personal best of 8:06.41.
Rooks had burst into the lead at the bell and maintained his position up until the home straight, finishing just ahead of Kenya’s Abraham Kibiwot, who earned another bronze following his third-place finish at the World Championships last year, clocking in at 8:06.47.
World record-holder Lamecha Girma of Ethiopia was among the frontrunners but fell hard with 200 meters to go and did not finish the race, eventually being carried off the track on a stretcher.
The race started at a blistering pace, with India’s Avinash Sable taking an early lead, followed closely by Ethiopian trio Getnet Wale, Samuel Firewu, and Girma. El Bakkali positioned himself strategically behind the leaders. The Ethiopians, Wale and Firewu, took brief spells at the front, with the first 1000m being covered in 2:40.53, hinting at a potential Olympic record-breaking pace.
As the race progressed, the pace settled down with Sable drifting back through the pack, leaving the Ethiopians at the forefront with Firewu leading. Uganda’s Leonard Chemutai briefly surged through the pack, prompting Firewu to pick up the pace once more. Kenya’s Simon Koech then took the lead, guiding the field through 2000m in 5:29.8, as the runners bunched up.
With two laps to go, El Bakkali’s teammate Mohamed Tindouft moved into second place. The final lap was marked by chaos and excitement as Rooks darted into the lead, opening a two-meter gap on the field. El Bakkali, navigating through the field that included Girma, Firewu, and Kibiwot, made his move.
Amid the commotion, Girma’s fall left him motionless on the track. The remaining runners charged forward, with El Bakkali moving onto Rooks’ shoulder coming off the bend. The Moroccan sprinted hard off the final barrier to secure his victory. Rooks finished closely behind, with Kibiwot claiming the bronze.
Tunisian duo Mohamed Amin Jhinaoui and Ahmed Jaziri finished fourth and fifth, respectively. Jhinaoui set a national record of 8:07.73, while Jaziri achieved a personal best of 8:08.02, also within the previous national record.
El Bakkali’s triumph in Paris not only solidifies his status as the preeminent steeplechaser of his generation but also adds another illustrious chapter to his remarkable career.
Source: World Athletics
