King Mohammed VI congratulated Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali, who won the 3000m steeplechase gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games on Wednesday. In this message, the King expressed his warmest congratulations to Soufiane El Bakkali for winning the gold medal in the 3000m steeplechase at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, thus allowing Morocco to retain this title for the second consecutive time after the Tokyo 2020 Games. The King commended his sincere patriotism, strong determination, and usual perseverance in winning this prestigious Olympic medal. He hoped that «your determination and outstanding success will be a source of inspiration for young Moroccan sportspersons to follow your example and achieve feats that honor Moroccan sport and elevate it further during forthcoming international events». For the record, El Bakkali won the 3000-meter steeplechase final on Wednesday at the Stade de France, clocking a time of 8:06 at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Through this victory, he secured the first gold medal for Morocco and successfully defended his Olympic title (Tokyo Games). He has now become the first Moroccan athlete to win two gold medals in different Olympic Games. Hicham El Guerrouj also won two gold medals, but in the same Olympic edition.
