Morocco
Morocco's Soufiane El Bakkali returned to Rabat after winning at the Paris 2024 Olympics 3000 meters steeplechase.
Upon his return to Morocco, El Bakkali received a grand welcome at Rabat-Salé Airport, where his fans and supporters gathered to greet him.
"Praise be to God, I have won the gold medal, which I would like to dedicate to the Moroccan people and His Majesty the King. I feel immense happiness, especially when I received a telegram from the King upon my arrival here. This made me extremely happy because it is the fourth telegram I have received from His Majesty, and this motivates me a lot," said El Bakkali.
El Bakkali was able to retain his gold medal at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics.
Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco defended his title in the men’s steeplechase with a .36-second win over American rival Kenneth Rooks.
02:18
UN peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara ends after 35 years
01:00
Pix of the Day, 30th October, 2026 - Across the world
01:32
Dakar prepares to host the 2026, Youth Olympics Africa’s first Olympic event
02:03
Young Uganda-based refugees chase their Olympic dream in Senegal
01:11
Western Sahara: Polisario front challenges UN Envoy as MINURSO mandate vote nears
00:56
Spain seeks ‘good neighbourly relations’ with Morocco as migration crisis shadows royal visit