El Bakkali Retains Olympic Steeplechase Crown, Kibiwott Claims Bronze

Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco retained his Olympic 3000m steeplechase title, becoming the first man to do so since Finland’s Volmari Iso-Hollo in 1928 and 1932. El Bakkali’s late surge in the final lap secured his victory with a time of 8:06.05, dashing Kenya’s hopes of reclaiming dominance in the event they once ruled.

The steeplechase final was a showcase of intense competition and dramatic finishes. American Kenneth Rooks delivered a surprising performance, securing the silver medal with a personal best time of 8:06.41. Kenya’s Abraham Kibiwott, the Commonwealth Games champion and bronze medalist from last year’s World Championships, improved on his 10th place finish in Tokyo, clocking a season-best time of 8:06.47 to claim bronze.

Kibiwott’s achievement is particularly poignant, as he dedicated his medal to his newborn daughter, who was just six days old on the day of the race. “I wanted the gold medal but we fell short. I’m picking many positives because I finished 10th in Tokyo and now I’m on the podium. It is a big achievement to me and I dedicate the medal to my daughter who we welcomed just six days ago. We were blessed with her just a few days before coming to Paris and so this Olympics is all about her,” an elated Kibiwott shared.

The race also featured Kenya’s Simon Koech and Amos Serem, who finished seventh and 14th respectively with times of 8:09.26 and 8:19.74. Despite the mixed results, Kibiwott’s bronze added to Kenya’s medal tally, bringing their total to five.

KEEP READING: Lyles Targets Olympic Medal Haul to Underline 'Rock Star' Status

El Bakkali’s victory in Paris solidifies his place in steeplechase history. Arriving in Paris with a target on his back, El Bakkali had previously triumphed at the Tokyo Olympics, becoming the first non-Kenyan to win the Olympic steeplechase title since 1980. His consecutive victories at the World Championships in Eugene and Budapest further established his dominance in the event.

El Bakkali’s second Olympic gold places him in rare company among Arab athletes who have doubled up at the Summer Games. Only his compatriot, Hicham El Guerrouj, who won the 1500m and 5,000m gold in Athens 2004, and Tunisian swimmer Oussama Mellouli, who clinched the 1500m freestyle in Beijing 2008 and the 10km marathon in London 2012, have achieved such a feat.

The Moroccan’s journey to Paris was marked by consistent excellence and strategic prowess. His last race before the Olympics, the Paris Diamond League, saw him finishing third, indicating his readiness to defend his title.

For Kibiwott, the bronze medal is a significant milestone in his career. Reflecting on his performance, he expressed a mix of disappointment and optimism. “I wanted the gold medal but we fell short. I’m picking many positives because I finished 10th in Tokyo and now I’m on the podium. It is a big achievement to me and I dedicate the medal to my daughter who we welcomed just six days ago. We were blessed with her just a few days before coming to Paris and so this Olympics is all about her,” he said, clearly moved by the personal significance of his achievement.

KEEP READING: Kenya Tchoukball Team Gears Up for the 3rd African Tchoukball Championships

As the dust settles on the steeplechase event, El Bakkali’s victory and Kibiwott’s bronze serve as reminders of the relentless pursuit of excellence and the personal stories that drive athletes to the pinnacle of their sport.