Al-Baqali aspires to a world record.

Moroccan runner Soufiane El Bakkali stated that his achievement of the best global record this year in the 3000 meters steeplechase at the Mohammed VI International Athletics Meeting (the third leg of the Diamond League) yesterday, Sunday, in Rabat, serves as an additional motivation to attempt to break the world record in this discipline.

El Bakkali explained in a statement after his victory that starting his athletic season with such an achievement strengthens his efforts to break the world record in this sport, adding that this record requires special conditions, precise prior preparation, and a well-thought-out strategy.

El Bakkali completed the race in a time of 7 minutes, 57 seconds, and 25 hundredths, which is the best global time this year, ahead of German runner Frederik Robeet and Kenyan Simon Kiprop Koech.

Speaking about the race in Rabat, El Bakkali noted that the level of competition was high, especially against Kenyan and Ethiopian runners as well as Europeans, who demonstrate their capabilities every year.

In this context, the Moroccan champion stated that the experience he gained at the Mohammed VI International Athletics Meeting enabled him to achieve this accomplishment and manage the race well, explaining that "winning on home soil in front of the Moroccan audience is always a source of pride."

El Bakkali continued, considering this victory as a good omen for the upcoming competitions he will participate in, especially in Stockholm and Doha, as well as the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

This third leg of the Diamond League, organized under the patronage of King Mohammed VI, saw the participation of athletes from 40 countries around the world, including Olympic champions and world champions.

This meeting is the result of cooperation between the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports, the Moroccan National Olympic Committee, the Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation, and the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region.