Olympic Games-2024/Athletics: Olympic and world champion Soufiane El Bakkali, headliner of the national team

by times news cr

During⁣ the Paris Olympics, El Bakkali ⁣hopes to win Olympic ‌gold again in the 3,000 m steeplechase, after Tokyo-2020, to ​become the second Moroccan athlete to be doubly crowned during the ‍Olympic Games after ⁢Hicham El ‍Guerrouj, gold medalist in ‌1500 m and 5,000 m in Athens-2004.

Reigning⁢ world champion, El Bakkali has the 9th best time of⁢ all time ⁣over 3,000 m steeplechase with 7min 56sec 68/100th,‌ recorded last year during the Mohammed VI International​ Athletics Meeting.

Alongside El Bakkali, the men’s national team is ‍also ⁢made up of ⁣Othmane El Goumri, winner⁢ of⁤ the Sydney Marathon in 2023⁢ with a time of 02h 8min 20sec, Zouhair Talbi⁤ who won the ​Houston Marathon last January in 02h 06min 39sec and Mouhcine Outalha​ who‍ will also be entered in ‌the Marathon.

The ‌men’s national⁣ athletics team also includes Mohamed ‍Tindouft and El Mostafa Faid ⁢(3,000 m steeplechase), Anas Essayi‍ (1,500 m) and ‍Abdelati El Guesse (800‍ m) who achieved his best performance this season at the Irena Szewinska Meeting in‍ Poland.

For‌ the ladies, the national colors will be defended by Fatima Ezzahra Gardadi, Rahma Tahiri and Kawtar Farkoussi (Marathon), Noura Ennadi (400 m hurdles) and Assia Raziki (800 m).

Gardadi⁣ has ⁣a great chance of shining during these Games after having written history by offering Morocco its first⁤ medal⁢ at the World Athletics Championships‌ in 2023 in Budapest.

In total, national athletics collected 20 medals during its⁤ various participations in the Olympic Games, including 7 in gold, 5 in silver and 8 in bronze.

The gold⁤ medals‌ were gleaned by Nawal El Moutawakil (400 m hurdles) and ⁢Said⁢ Aouita (5,000 m) ⁣in 1984 in Los Angeles, Brahim Boutaib (10,000 m)​ in 1988 in Seoul, Khalid Skah‍ (10,000 m) in 1992 in Barcelona, ​​Hicham El Guerrouj (1,500 m and 5,000 m) in 2004 in Athens and Soufiane El Bakkali (3,000 m steeplechase) in‌ Tokyo-2020.

As‌ for the ‌silver medals, they were won⁤ by the late Abdeslam Radi (Marathon) ⁢in 1960 in Rome, Rachid Labsir (1,500 m) in 1992 in Barcelona, ​​Hicham El Guerrouj (1,500⁤ m) in ⁢2000 in Sydney, Hasna Benhassi (800⁢ m) ⁣in 2004 in Athens and Jaouad Gharib in the Marathon during the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

The bronze medals were won by Said Aouita (800m) in Seoul-1988, Salah Hissou (10,000m)⁢ in ‌Atlanta-1996, Khalid‍ Boulami (5,000m) ⁣in Atlanta-1996, Nezha Bidouane (400m ⁢hurdles) in Sydney- 2000, Brahim Lahlafi (5,000 m) in Sydney-2000, Ali Ezzine​ (3,000 m steeplechase) in Sydney-2000,⁤ Hasna Benhassi (800 m) ‍in Beijing-2008 and ‌Abdelaati⁣ Iguidir (1,500 m) in London-2012.

How does mental⁢ resilience impact an athlete’s ‌performance in high-stakes competitions like‌ the Olympics?

Interview between ‌Time.news Editor and ‌Athletics Expert Dr. Sofia⁢ Kendir

Time.news Editor: Good afternoon, Dr. Kendir! Thank you for joining us ⁣today ​to discuss‍ the exciting prospects ⁤for​ the Moroccan athletics team at the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Dr. Kendir: Good afternoon! ⁤It’s a pleasure to ‌be here and share thoughts on such a thrilling ⁢topic.

Time.news Editor: Let’s ⁣start with the star of ‌the Moroccan team, Soufiane​ El Bakkali. He made headlines at the Tokyo Olympics with his 3,000 m steeplechase victory. What do you think makes him a strong contender for gold again in Paris?

Dr. Kendir: ⁢ El‌ Bakkali’s achievements‌ are certainly⁢ remarkable. As⁣ the reigning world champion ⁤and holder of the ninth-fastest time in‍ history, ⁢his credentials speak for⁣ themselves. But beyond the statistics,​ it’s ​his ‍mental ‌resilience ​and competitive spirit ⁣that ⁣set him⁤ apart. Winning gold in Tokyo likely served to bolster his confidence, and he‌ enters this Olympics with‍ an even greater experience and⁣ focus.

Time.news Editor: ‌That’s a great insight. He aims to become the second Moroccan to win⁤ gold ​medals in consecutive ⁤Olympics. How significant would this ⁣achievement be for Moroccan athletics?

Dr. Kendir: ​ It would⁤ be monumental!⁤ Hicham El Guerrouj’s double gold in Athens in 2004 is a legendary ⁤feat in Moroccan sports history. If El​ Bakkali can ⁤replicate this success, it would not‍ only⁢ elevate his status but also inspire a new generation of Moroccan athletes. His accomplishments can⁣ pave ​the way for increased investment and‌ interest in athletics ⁤in Morocco.

Time.news Editor: Speaking of the⁣ national team, we’ve seen ‌a strong lineup this year, including marathon winners like Othmane El Goumri‍ and Zouhair Talbi. How does this depth of ⁢talent ⁤impact the team’s overall chances?

Dr. Kendir: It’s a huge advantage. A solid team can create a supportive environment where athletes motivate one another. With El Goumri and Talbi⁤ performing ‍so⁢ well in recent marathons, they⁤ bring⁢ a winning mentality and experience to⁢ the‌ table. Their presence should‍ bolster the ​entire team’s performance, encouraging others, like El Bakkali, to excel as well. Team dynamics in athletics are often underrated, yet they can significantly ⁢affect ⁤outcomes.

Time.news Editor: That’s a well-rounded ⁣perspective. ‌Looking at the rest of ⁢the athletes, what are ​your predictions for the events involving Mohamed⁤ Tindouft and Abdelati El Guesse?

Dr. Kendir: Both⁣ have shown promise this season. Tindouft and Faid are exceptional‌ in the steeplechase, ‌and with the right preparation and conditions, they could definitely contend for⁤ podium finishes. As for El​ Guesse,‌ having⁣ achieved his season-best in Poland is a strong indicator of his‌ potential. The 800 m is highly competitive, but if ‌he ‍leverages that momentum, he⁤ could surprise ⁤us.

Time.news Editor: ​ There’s ⁢so much⁣ excitement around these athletes. What do you think the‍ Moroccan ⁢team needs to do to‍ maximize their chances in ⁢Paris?

Dr.‍ Kendir: Consistent​ training, effective coaching, and​ mental conditioning ​will be vital. Additionally, it’s crucial ⁣to manage pre-race nerves and focus⁤ on performance rather than just the ⁣outcome. ⁢They should also make sure to stay healthy leading up⁢ to the Games.‍ Emphasizing sports science and​ nutrition can enhance their training outcomes, setting them ‍up for success.

Time.news Editor: ‌Great advice, ‌Dr. Kendir. As we‍ anticipate these amazing athletic feats, what will you be watching for during the Olympic events?

Dr. Kendir: ⁢I’ll be looking for breakthroughs—not just ⁢times and medals, but‍ also personal bests, the emergence of new talents, ‍and how established athletes‍ handle the pressure. I’m also‍ interested in the ‌narratives ‌that unfold; every competition tells a story that⁤ goes beyond the finish line. It’s about legacy, ‌struggle,‍ and‌ triumph.

Time.news Editor: ‍Wonderful ​thoughts to reflect ⁢on.⁣ Thank you, Dr. ‍Kendir,⁤ for⁣ sharing​ your expertise. ⁤We’re all eager to see‌ how the Moroccan⁢ athletes ‍perform in Paris!

Dr. Kendir: Thank you!⁣ The anticipation is building, and I’m equally ‍excited to see what unfolds during the‍ Games!

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