Rabat – The African Union has celebrated Morocco’s remarkable achievements at the Paris 2024 Olympics, with festivities erupting across the continent.
Moroccan athlete Soufiane El Bakkali’s historic gold medal win and the Atlas Lions’ bronze medal have garnered widespread acclaim and pride, marking a standout moment in African sports history.
El Bakkali has etched his name into Olympic history with his outstanding performance in the tournament.
He became the first athlete to defend his 3000m steeplechase title successfully since Finland’s Volmari Iso-Hollo, achieving the feat in 1936.
The African Union’s official X page lauded the Moroccan star athlete’s performance.
“Team Africa is celebrating Moroccan star Soufiane El Bakkali who delivered a historic performance to become the first to successfully defend his 3000m steeplechase title since 1936!” it said. “You are a true Champion!”
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In addition to individual accolades, Morocco’s national u-23 football team has captured hearts and headlines with their unforgettable performance in the Olympic football tournament.
Securing the bronze medal with a decisive 6-0 victory over Egypt, the Atlas Lions have considerably bolstered Morocco’s reputation as a formidable force in world football.
“Morocco made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics,” the AU posted on X. “The Atlas Lions are Olympic bronze medallists! This win cements Morocco’s status as a football powerhouse and is a massive achievement for African football. With this momentum, hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2030 looks even more promising.”
These sporting achievements come as Morocco’s 2025 Finance Bill pledges to launch a visionary program to prepare major Moroccan cities for hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the kingdom will jointly organize with Spain and Portugal.
This initiative focuses on improving the country’s attractiveness, sustainability, and infrastructure, including transportation, stadiums, and tourism facilities upgrades to meet the international event’s requirements.
