Path to Paris: Soufiane El Bakkali

The road to sporting glory often leads through ups and downs. Along the way, there are key milestones that every athlete passes.

In the latest instalment of a new series where athletes reflect on five key steps on their path to the Paris Olympic Games, Moroccan steeplechaser Soufiane El Bakkali recounts the journey that has got him to this point in his career.

 

I have participated in different international events…

…The latest was the World Championships in Budapest. This is what I am thankful for in my sporting career – winning the gold medal. This is very important for me. It gives me a lot of confidence while pursuing other gold medals, especially now that I’ve been crowned world champion twice.

And now, I want to become a two-time Olympic champion. It is no easy feat, but nothing is impossible. As long as I am training and giving it my all.

 

My injury made me take things more seriously…

…Many things happen and change throughout the training period. Especially this year, ahead of the Paris Olympics, there are things we wouldn’t wish for but that happen suddenly.

For example, I wanted one of my first competitions to be the Diamond League in Doha, but I couldn’t make it because of an injury I sustained in my final preparations. That injury forced me to stop training for a long period, around two months, so it was a tough time for me. But the most important thing is that I had been preparing earlier and at the beginning of the year, the preparations were good.

I feel that there is a positive takeaway from this injury. It made me take things more seriously, especially as I prepare for my next goal, which is the Olympic Games and retaining my title.

 

The World Championships in London was the starting point for me…

…There are things that might change in my athletics career, but one very important aspect for me is how to build confidence.

I started with the World Championships at a young age. I remember 2017, the World Championships in London, I was young and it was my first participation with world class athletes and champions.

I was running the 3000m steeplechase, of course, and I was able to secure the silver medal.

From there, I was chasing a gold medal that I couldn’t quite get. But after the Tokyo Olympics, everything changed. My mindset fully shifted and I was only thinking about getting that gold medal. Whether at World Championships or Olympic Games, I only think about that gold medal.

That is one of the most important things, that allowed me to succeed. Plus rigorous training, and preparation with my team and my coach, who is the secret of my success. That is another crucial aspect of why and how I was able to build this confidence that has allowed me, and will allow me, to succeed in big events like the Olympics and World Championships.

 

I am very excited to take part in the Paris Olympic Games…

…It will be my third consecutive Olympics and I know there will be a lot of Moroccans, including my parents and close friends, who are eager to see me participate and even win a medal.

For that reason, I am committed and I know what they are expecting of me. I am heading to Paris for the Games to give it my absolute best, win a gold medal and dedicate it to the people of Morocco, especially the King who has been supporting me since the Tokyo Olympics.

God willing, I will dedicate my medal to him.

 

I have so many memories in the 3000m steeplechase…

…There’s the World Championships in Eugene, where I have two fond memories. The first one is when I won and my special celebration dance. And then, at the end of the race, I went with the other competitors to the water jump and took a group picture there.

At the World Championships in Budapest, too, I remember a nice picture I took with the Italian high jump champion, Gianmarco Tamberi.

This is what athletics is about. When we win, the most important thing for us is the spirit and the joy we share all together. This is the most important thing for me and this what pushes me forward in this sport. I hope that I will get to do my celebration dance in a different way in Paris.