World record chase for El Bakkali and female long jumpers talk ahead of top clash 

A steeplechaser aiming to reclaim his world record and a pair of champion long jumpers gathered to speak to the world’s media ahead of Thursday’s Stockholm BAUHAUS-Galan - the seventh stage of the Wanda Diamond League season. 

Morocco's Soufiane El Bakkali - fresh off a scintillating 7:56.68 3,000m steeplechase national record in Rabat in May - is eager to take back the world record, currently held by 7:52.11 man, Lamecha Girma of Ethiopia. 

“It was a good start to my season so I’m looking forward to achieving a good result in Stockholm and would love the world record back,” the 27-year-old recalled. 

The Olympic and world champion was victorious in Stockholm back in 2017, and El Bakkali is confident of another win and fast time in the Swedish capital:

“The wave light technology to help pace us is a really good support for my target,” he said. 

Meanwhile, long jump duo Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk and Jazmin Sawyers were in good spirits ahead of their clash in the sand-pit tomorrow.

Ukrainian Bekh-Romanchuk - the 2019 world silver medallist - revealed: 

“It’s a really difficult time in Ukraine of course and difficult to only think about your goals and your dream, worrying so much about your country and your family. 

“I’m very happy to be here and to feel the support. I now train in Germany with my husband, who is a swimmer for Germany.”

The 27-year-old world indoor and European indoor and outdoor triple jump champion took the honours in Stockholm in the 2020 event and was recently third in the discipline in Florence

“Sometimes I prefer to focus on the triple jump but for now, I’m trying the (long and triple jump) double this season,” she explained.

Great Britain’s European indoor champion, Sawyers is still on a high from her 7-meter continental gold medal leap in the winter, and the 29-year-old recalled: 

“Finally jumping 7-meters was so special for me - we all strive for it and I felt capable of doing it for so long. To eventually get it when I wasn’t expecting it, plus with a gold medal too was so exciting.”

Sixth in Florence last month, the two-time Olympic eighth placer continued:

“I’ve got to keep it up, though - the performance has given me more motivation. I got straight back into training for the outdoor season. Tomorrow, we have a really strong field so I will have a go.”