Soufiane El Bakkali is the first Moroccan runner to win two consecutive Olympic gold medals in the steeplechase.
He extended his Olympic title in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, in 8 minutes and 6 seconds on Wednesday night in Paris.
El Bakkali has long suffered from injuries and had to miss several championships to focus on the Olympic Games.
He thanked his coach and his compatriot Mohamed Tindouft, who ran the final with him. El Bakkali dedicated his gold medal to King Mohammed VI and the Moroccan people.
“First of all, I am very happy. I dedicate this achievement to King Mohammed VI. This is my fourth consecutive medal. I thank the Moroccan people and the people who supported me for the Paris Olympic Games. I worked step by step with my coach Karim Tlemçani, whom I also thank for everything he does with me,” El Bakkali told Arryadia TV, shortly after his historic triumph in Paris.
The Moroccan ran the race in 8 minutes and 6 seconds, well ahead of the Kenyan and Ethiopian competitors.
Tindouft finished 12th in 8 minutes and 14 seconds.
El Bakkali also won gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and the World Championships in Eugene in 2022 and Budapest in 2023.
El Bakkali is the first Moroccan runner to win back-to-back Olympic gold in the steeplechase. He said he started fast in the last 200 meters because he was the best runner in the world in the last meters.
He added that his mother told him not to be afraid of anything.
APA News
