Soufiane El Bakkali’s golden reign as 3000m steeplechase champion continued because the Moroccan received his fourth world title up to now 4 years.
Nevertheless the occasion was marred when world record-holder Lamecha Girma suffered a horrible fall when he hit a barrier onerous with simply over 200m to go. Falling to the bottom with a heavy thud, the Ethiopian didn’t transfer till he was stretchered away by officers.
Girma, who additionally holds the world indoor 3000m document, was hospitalised after the race. The Paris 2024 organisers stated: “Following his fall within the 3000m steeplechase, Lamecha Girma obtained rapid care from the on-site medical groups. Our ideas are with him and we’re sending him our highest needs for a swift restoration. Paris 2024 is in shut contact with the Ethiopian NOC to remain up to date on his situation.”
Oblivious to the accident, El Bakkali received a sprint-out for gold in 8:06.05 as Kenneth Rooks received a preferred silver for the USA in 8:06.41 and Abraham Kibiwot took bronze for Kenya with 8:06.47.
Lamecha Girma receives remedy (Getty)
On his victory, El Bakkali stated: “I’m actually glad I’ve received once more. That is my second Olympic gold. I’m actually, actually happy. This yr I’m going to have a good time with household, buddies and everyone.
“I’ve truly labored onerous this yr. It didn’t begin very nicely for me as a result of I had a stress downside at first of the yr. The harm was onerous. However that is the Olympics. It’s not a standard day job, so I needed to preserve going.”
On his Paris win in comparison with Tokyo, he added: “This time is a bit totally different. Final time there have been no followers, however this time everyone is right here within the stadium, and it’s my residence, it’s Paris.”
After Rooks completed second, British steeplechase Phil Norman took to social media to say: “A superb run by Kenneth Rooks of the USA to take silver within the 3000m steeplechase working an enormous 9sec PB. It’s price noting that he certified through a world rankings place, simply exhibiting that something can occur.”
Norman, after all, was one of many unfortunate British athletes who weren’t chosen by UK Athletics regardless of being in a world rankings qualifying place.
Rooks was on the again within the early levels and step by step moved by way of earlier than bolding taking the lead with a lap to go. He stated: “It has been an incredible yr for the USA. I believe we’ve received medals in each distance occasion that’s been run thus far on the lads’s facet. It’s a particular yr.”
On his race, he added: “I had loads of confidence moving into that I didn’t know precisely what my restrict was. Simply keep within the combine, give it the whole lot that I had. It was surreal to take the lead on the finish and realise I would get a gold, however I’m glad I used to be in a position to combat for the silver. It’s unreal, a dream. It’s been superior to take all of it in. The victory lap took so lengthy, seeing so many individuals.”
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