"This second Olympic title at the Paris Games is a source of pride for me and the outcome of intense effort and training," El Bakkali told the press on his arrival at Rabat-Salé airport, expressing his delight at having offered Morocco a second consecutive Olympic medal in the 3,000 m steeplechase.

He explained that "winning my first Olympic medal in Tokyo put extra pressure on me to do my best in Paris", noting that his second Olympic title in the French capital was the result of intense efforts despite the injury he sustained mid-season, which disrupted his preparations for the international event.

"My first Olympic medal in Tokyo was special, but the one in Paris is even more so, because I won it in front of the Moroccan community in France, who gave me plenty of encouragement and support during the qualifying rounds and the final," he said.

The two-time Moroccan Olympic champion thanked "everyone who contributed to my second consecutive Olympic title".