Rabat - Morocco’s world reserve champion of the 3000-meter steeplechase Soufiane El Bakkali has been denied a visa to travel to the US to participate in the third phase of the Eugene Diamond League.
Rabat – Morocco’s world reserve champion of the 3000-meter steeplechase Soufiane El Bakkali has been denied a visa to travel to the US to participate in the third phase of the Eugene Diamond League.
Moroccan newspaper Al Akhbar reported today that the champion was prevented from taking part because he was refused a visa.
The visa denial is unexplainable as El Bakkali had an official invitation from the organizing committee of the Eugene league.
El Bakkali has competed in multiple international sporting events. In 2016, El Bakkali qualified for the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase final at the Rio Olympics and placed fourth after a personal best of 8:14:35 minutes.
A year later, the sportsman won a silver medal at the IAAF London 2017 World Championship. El Bakkali claimed second place behind Kenyan Conseslus Kipruto in the 3,000-meter steeplechase race.
El Bakkali made his senior debut at the 2014 African Championships in Athletics, taking 10th place in the 3000-meter steeplechase.
The 22-year old Moroccan is one of several promising athletes that Morocco has pinned its hopes on to win a gold medal in a world competition.
