Olympic Champion El Bakkali Defends World Steeplechase Title in Budapest

A new consecration for Soufiane El Bakkali. On Tuesday, the 27-year-old athlete retained his world title in the 3,000m steeplechase that he had won in Eugene in 2022, beating the world record holder (7:52.11, set at the Paris Diamond League meeting on June 9), the Ethiopian Lamecha Girma. The Moroccan won in 8 minutes 03 seconds 53, ahead of his rival, who finished second in 8 minutes 05 seconds 44. "I am the strongest in the world, this is my third gold medal, I hope to continue like this until next year. [...] I am also happy for the Moroccan public," he said after his coronation.

Soufiane El Bakkali, who is passionate about athletics, hopes to fully live off this sport. In January, he had a outburst against the Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation (FRMA) regarding the bonuses awarded to the best Moroccan athletes. "Failed plans that do not motivate the players. [...] Please reconsider," wrote the Moroccan Olympic champion in an Instagram story, probably referring to the rewards that the Moroccan National Olympic Committee (CNOM) plans to award to Moroccan athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The CNOM has announced that it plans to pay 2 million dirhams to gold medalists at the Olympic Games and 1.25 million dirhams to silver medalists. As for the bronze medalists, they should receive 750,000 dirhams. On Facebook, several former athletes had also expressed their frustrations with the poor management of Moroccan sports talents and infrastructure. They called on the Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation (FRMA) to change its policy and give priority to decorated Moroccan athletes.