Olympic showdown looms: El Bakkali vs. Girma in Paris steeplechase

PARIS: The stage is set for an electrifying showdown in the 3,000 metres steeplechase at the Paris Olympics, as Moroccan Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali and Ethiopian world record holder Lamecha Girma both advanced through their opening heats with ease.

El Bakkali, with an impressive resume boasting two world gold medals and the Tokyo Olympic title, demonstrated his prowess by strategically taking the lead on the penultimate lap. He effortlessly maneuvered through the field before jogging across the finish line first in his heat with a time of 8:17.90. Ugandan Leonard Chemutai and Ethiopian Getnet Wale followed, securing second and third places respectively.

Girma, on the other hand, showcased his world record form by cruising around the outside of the pack in his heat. He took the outright lead with one lap to go, winning comfortably in 8:23.89. American Kenneth Rooks finished second, while Kenyan Diamond League winner Simon Kiprop Koech came in third.