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!