Soufiane El Bakkali aims to defend his 3000m steeplechase title at the Paris Olympics on Wednesday, seeking to become the third Arab to win double gold. Only Hicham El Guerrouj, who won the 1500m and 5000m in Athens 2004, and Tunisian swimmer Oussama Mellouli, who won the 1500m freestyle in Beijing 2008 and the 10km marathon in London 2012, have achieved this.

El Bakkali, 28, carries the expectations of his nation as Morocco's athletics team has seen a decline in recent years. Born in Fes, El Bakkali has been dominant, winning the last three global championships. His victory at the Covid-delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021 made him the first non-Kenyan runner to win the Olympic steeplechase title since 1980. He followed this with world championship wins in Eugene and Budapest.

"Covid-19 was beneficial to me," said El Bakkali. "Instead of waiting every two years to take part in a global championship, I participated in one a year and claimed three gold medals. I hope to achieve five golds, with the Paris Olympics and next year's world championships in Tokyo."

This season, El Bakkali has been less active on the track due to injury. He won his home Diamond League meet in Marrakesh in May with a time of 8:09.40 but has not competed much since. "I suffered from an injury which stopped me from participating in many events," he said. "This year is very important for me, but the injury came at a very bad time. I will start my preparation for the Olympic Games where my goal is to keep my title."

Ethiopian rival Lamecha Girma holds the leading time of the year at 8:01.63 and avoided competing against El Bakkali in Marrakesh but raced in the Stockholm Diamond League. El Bakkali acknowledged the immense pressure he feels, saying, "The pressure is very great, to the point that I lose focus before the finals, realizing the weight of expectations and hopes pinned on me. However, I quickly gather my strength and focus on being the first to cross the finish line."

With his coach Karim Tlemsani since age 14, El Bakkali remains determined: "I know that what is coming is more difficult and that staying at the top and achieving glory requires more work. I will carry on and persevere to continue winning titles and medals and raising the Moroccan flag high on the global and Olympic stage."

Regarding the world record of 7:52.11 set by Girma at last year's Diamond League meet in Paris, El Bakkali is confident he can challenge it. However, he noted, "I wouldn't risk going for it at an Olympics or world championships because my focus is on the gold. The record is only a matter of time, and I am certain that I will break it one day."