Paris Olympics: Moroccan El Bakkali defends steeplechase title

Morocco’s 3,000m steeplechase king Soufiane El Bakkali showed his class to become the first man to defend an Olympic title in the event since 1936.

In a curious race, El Bakkali only hit the front for the first time coming into the home straight, just after his great rival, Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma, fell as the pair went over the third-to-last barrier side by side.

The 28-year-old, who is also a two-time world champion, had to work hard to chase down a surprise late break by Kenneth Rooks, but never looked in much trouble once he passed the American.

Winning in a time of eight minutes 6.05 seconds, El Bakkali mirrors the achievement of Finland’s Volmari Iso-Hollo, who won back-to-back steeplechases in 1932 and 1936.

Rooks held on for silver, just ahead of Kenya’s Abraham Kibiwot who took bronze.

Most of the pre-race talk was about the rivalry between El Bakkali and Girma.

The Ethiopian may be the world record holder but it is El Bakkali who has proven to have the golden touch when it comes to the big events, having beaten his opponent into second at the previous Olympics in Tokyo and the last two World Championships.

Girma also finished runner-up at the 2019 World Championships behind Kenya’s Conseslus Kipruto.

It looked as if Ethiopia might have a plan to help their man finally end his silver streak, as all three of the country’s runners at Paris 2024 ; Samuel Firewu, Getnet Wale and Girma hit the front early.

But just when it seemed like a fast race was in the offing, the Ethiopian trio allowed the pace to drop and the field bunched up again.

Uganda’s Leonard Chemutai looked as if he might take advantage before taking a fall at one of the barriers, with Rooks making his surge at the bell.

That was the sign for El Bakkali and Girma to spark into life and both looked strong until the Ethiopian’s nasty looking fall drew gasps from the crowd at the Stade de France.

The tall figure of El Bakkali took full advantage to overhaul his competitors and win Morocco’s first medal of the Games.