Athletics: Soufiane EL BAKKALI wins the 3000m steeplechase at the Mohammed VI International Athletics Meeting in Rabat

Morocco delivered an outstanding performance at the 17th Mohammed VI International Athletics Meeting, held on 31 May 2026 at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat as part of the third leg of the 2026 Wanda Diamond League. The event brought together several Olympic, world and continental champions, as well as some of the world's top athletes.

The standout Moroccan performance came from double Olympic and world champion Soufiane EL BAKKALI, who won the men's 3000m steeplechase in 7:57.25. With this result, he recorded the world's best performance of the season and became the first athlete to break the eight-minute barrier this year.

This victory also marked EL BAKKALI’s fifth consecutive win at the Mohammed VI International Meeting in Rabat, further confirming his dominance in one of the most demanding disciplines in world athletics.

The men's 3000m steeplechase produced a race of exceptional quality. Germany’s Frederik RUPPERT finished second in 7:57.80, setting a new European record, while Kenya’s Simon Kiprop KOECH placed third in 7:59.44. It was only the third time in the history of the event that the top three finishers all crossed the line in under eight minutes.