El Bakkali wins his country's first gold medal in the 3000m event
El Bakkali Wins 3000m Steeplechase, Ending Kenya’s 37-Year Dominance
Historic Victory for Morocco Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco has become the new 3000m steeplechase Olympic champion, ending Kenya's 37-year streak of dominance in the event. This marks Morocco's first-ever gold medal in the 3000m steeplechase at the Olympics.
Kenya's 37-Year Reign Kenya's dominance in the 3000m steeplechase began in 1984 when Julius Korir won the gold medal, defeating France’s Joseph Mahmoud. The streak included nine Olympic gold titles for Kenya, with Conseslus Kipruto securing the last one in 2016.
Morocco's Medal History Before El Bakkali's triumph, Morocco's last medal in the 3000m steeplechase was won by Ali Ezzine, who earned a bronze in the 2000 Olympics.
African Presence on the Podium The 3000m steeplechase podium at the Tokyo Olympics featured athletes from three African countries:
- Gold: Soufiane El Bakkali (Morocco) – 8:08.90 🥇🇲🇦
- Silver: Lamecha Girma (Ethiopia) – 8:10.38 🥈🇪🇹, Ethiopia's first steeplechase medal since Eshetu Tura's bronze in 1980.
- Bronze: Benjamin Kigen (Kenya) – 8:11.45 🥉🇰🇪
Men’s 3000m Steeplechase Final Results:
- Soufiane El Bakkali (MAR) – 8:08.90
- Lamecha Girma (ETH) – 8:10.38
- Benjamin Kigen (KEN) – 8:11.45
- Getnet Wale (ETH) – 8:14.97
- Yemane Haileselassie (ERI) – 8:15.34
- Matthew Hughes (CAN) – 8:16.03
- Ryuji Miura (JPN) – 8:16.90
- Topi Raitanen (FIN) – 8:17.44
- Ala Zoghlami (ITA) – 8:18.50
- Abraham Kibiwot (KEN) – 8:19.41
- Benard Keter (USA) – 8:22.12
- Alexis Phelut (FRA) – 8:23.14
- Mohamed Tindouft (MAR) – 8:23.56
- Ahmed Abeldwahed (ITA) – 8:24.34
- John Gay (CAN) – 8:35.41