Soufiane El Bakkali (front) of Morocco celebrates after winning the men's 3000m steeplechase final of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
PARIS, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- Morocco's Soufiane El Bakkali successfully defended his Olympic title by winning the men's 3,000m steeplechase final at the Paris Olympics on Wednesday.
The 28-year-old crossed the finish line in 8 minutes 6.05 seconds, 0.36 seconds ahead of American Kenneth Rooks, who took silver. Kenya's Abraham Kibiwot secured bronze in 8:06.47.
El Bakkali is the first man to win consecutive gold medals in the event since Finland's Volmari Iso-Hollo achieved the feat in 1932-1936.
"I am really glad I have won again," El Bakkali said. "This is my second Olympic gold. I am really pleased. This year I am going to celebrate with family, friends and everybody."
El Bakkali has dominated the men's 3,000m steeplechase for almost five years and can boast two world championship titles to go with his back-to-back Olympic crowns.
But he admitted the competition was getting stronger while he has also had to contend with injuries.
"I have actually worked hard this year," El Bakkali said. "It didn't start very well for me because I had a stress fracture problem. The injury was hard. But this is the Olympics. It's not a normal day job, so I had to keep going." ■
Athletes compete during the men's 3000m steeplechase final of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco reacts after the men's 3000m steeplechase final of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Gang)
Athletes compete during the men's 3000m steeplechase final of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
Soufiane El Bakkali (L) of Morocco reacts after the men's 3000m steeplechase final of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Athletes compete during the men's 3000m steeplechase final of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Song Yanhua)
Soufiane El Bakkali (C) of Morocco competes during the men's 3000m steeplechase final of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Song Yanhua)
Kenneth Rooks (L) of the United States competes during the men's 3000m steeplechase final of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Song Yanhua)
Soufiane El Bakkali (L) and Mohamed Tindouft of Morocco celebrate after the men's 3000m steeplechase final of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
Abraham Kibiwot of Kenya celebrates after the men's 3000m steeplechase final of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
Kenneth Rooks of the United States celebrates after the men's 3000m steeplechase final of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
Soufiane El Bakkali (front) of Morocco competes during the men's 3000m steeplechase final of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Soufiane El Bakkali (C) of Morocco celebrates after the men's 3000m steeplechase final of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
Soufiane El Bakkali (front) of Morocco competes during the men's 3000m steeplechase final of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco celebrates after the men's 3000m steeplechase final of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco celebrates after the men's 3000m steeplechase final of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Xu Chang)
Soufiane El Bakkali (front) of Morocco celebrates after winning the men's 3000m steeplechase final of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Gang)
Soufiane El Bakkali (front C) of Morocco competes during the men's 3000m steeplechase final of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
Getnet Wale (R) of Ethiopia competes during the men's 3000m steeplechase final of Athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 7, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Gang)
