<\/p>\n
A steeplechaser aiming to reclaim his world record and a pair of champion long jumpers gathered to speak to the world\u2019s media ahead of Thursday\u2019s Stockholm BAUHAUS-Galan – the seventh stage of the Wanda Diamond League season. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a good start to my season so I\u2019m looking forward to achieving a good result in Stockholm and would love the world record back,\u201d the 27-year-old recalled. <\/p>\n
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:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe wave light technology to help pace us is a really good support for my target,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, long jump duo Maryna Bekh-Romanchuk and Jazmin Sawyers were in good spirits ahead of their clash in the sand-pit tomorrow.<\/p>\n
Ukrainian Bekh-Romanchuk – the 2019 world silver medallist – revealed: <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very happy to be here and to feel the support. I now train in Germany with my husband, who is a swimmer for Germany.\u201d<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes I prefer to focus on the triple jump but for now, I\u2019m trying the (long and triple jump) double this season,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n
Great Britain\u2019s 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: <\/p>\n
\u201cFinally 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\u2019t expecting it, plus with a gold medal too was so exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sixth in Florence last month, the two-time Olympic eighth placer continued:<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve 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.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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