On August 7, 2024, Moroccan athlete Soufiane El Bakkali made history by becoming the first man to win consecutive Olympic gold medals in the 3,000m steeplechase since 1932.
El Bakkali triumphed at the Paris Games, defeating a competitive field that included world record-holder Lamecha Girma from Ethiopia. The 28-year-old Moroccan finished the race with a time of 8:06.05, narrowly ahead of Kenneth Rooks from the United States, who took second place with a time of 8:06.41. Kenya’s Abraham Kibiwot secured third place with a time of 8:06.47.
Girma, who led the early stages of the race, fell after hitting a barrier on the back straight and was later taken away on a stretcher.
While Girma and his Ethiopian team set a fast pace early on, El Bakkali remained patient. With two laps remaining, the pack was still tightly grouped. It was only at the final lap that the leading athletes began to make their move.
Rooks surged ahead on the backstretch, but Girma’s fall opened the door for El Bakkali, Rooks, and Kibiwot to vie for the gold. El Bakkali surged past the final barrier and accelerated, leaving Rooks and Kibiwot to contest the remaining medals. El Bakkali crossed the finish line with his arms raised in celebration, adding a second Olympic gold to his two world titles.
