Paris 2024 Olympics - Athletics - Men's 3000m Steeplechase Round 1 - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - August 05, 2024. Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco reacts after crossing the line to win heat 1. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier
PARIS (Reuters) - Morocco's Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali and Ethiopian world record holder Lamecha Girma are set for a showdown in the Paris Olympic 3,000 metres steeplechase after the two easily advanced through the opening heats on Monday.
El Bakkali has the better trophy haul with two world golds to match his Tokyo title but Girma claimed the world record last year and is now coming for the Moroccan's Olympic crown after having to settle for second three years ago.
El Bakkali made his move for the lead on the penultimate lap, easily manoeuvring through the field before jogging across the finish line first in his heat in 8:17.90. Ugandan Leonard Chemutai was second and Ethiopian Getnet Wale third.
Girma cruised around the outside of the pack in his heat before taking the outright lead with one lap to go, winning in 8:23.89, with American Kenneth Rooks second and Kenyan Diamond League winner Simon Kiprop Koech third.
Moroccan Mohamed Tindouft produced the best performance of his career to win his heat in 8:10.62.
Amos Serem, one of the favourites to send Kenya back atop the podium, nearly saw his campaign come crashing down when he missed the water jump and finished sixth in his heat. Officials later ruled he was pushed and added him to Wednesday's final.
(Reporting by Amy Tennery in Paris; Editing by Ken Ferris)
