PARIS, Aug 8, (Xinhua): Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali successfully defended his Olympic title by winning the men’s 3,000m steeplechase final at the Paris Olympics.
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 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 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.”