Sifan Hassan had one simple goal: to finish her race at the Paris Olympics. “It’s my crazy thing,” she said, expressing her curiosity about whether she could complete the marathon and possibly even medal. At 31, her mind was filled with questions as she prepared for an arduous challenge.
In Olympic history, only Emil Zátopek of Czechia has achieved medals in the marathon and the other two longest races: the 5000m and 10,000m. Inspired by Zátopek, Hassan decided to take on all three events, uniting 38.6 miles of competition across nine days. After earning bronze medals in the 5000m and 10,000m, the marathon awaited her on Sunday, and the prospect made her feel dizzy. “To finish the marathon is a kind of hell,” she admitted.
Yet, against the odds, Hassan not only finished but triumphed, claiming gold in the women’s marathon with an Olympic record time of 2:22.55. Arriving in Paris with her “crazy” plan, she was set to leave with three medals and a remarkable record.
Her victory was a whirlwind of emotions. “I was scared of this race,” she reflected post-victory, noting how intensely focused she remained for the duration. The last stretch of the marathon was a fierce showdown between Hassan and world record holder Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia, both leading competitors. As they approached the finish line, Assefa held a slight lead, but Hassan unleashed her legendary finishing speed. She maneuvered past Assefa with a swift elbow and tapped into her reserves, thinking, “This is just a 100-meter sprint.”
After making her move, Hassan sprinted alone towards the finish, her victory secure. As she crossed the finish line, she raised her arms to the sky and let out a joyous scream, marking her accomplishment and a place in Olympic history.
In Paris, Hassan’s medals include marathon gold, 5,000m bronze, and 10,000m bronze, making her the first athlete to hold Olympic medals in all four of these distance races. With past victories in the Tokyo Olympics adding to her accolades, she has established a unique legacy in the sport.
“I feel like I am dreaming,” Hassan expressed, speaking of the marathon’s challenge. Her time not only earned her gold but also slightly surpassed the previous Olympic record of 2:23.07, set by Tiki Gelana in the London Games.
Assefa secured silver with a time of 2:22.58, while Kenya’s Hellen Obiri took home the bronze with a finish of 2:23.10. American runners Dakotah Lindwurm and Emily Sisson finished 12th and 23rd, respectively, while Fiona O’Keeffe did not complete the race.
The marathon marked a fitting conclusion to the track and field events at the Paris Olympics, and Hassan, who deserves a break after her remarkable feat, proved that she could withstand the challenging course, which featured significant elevation changes—the Paris route was notably tougher than many, including Boston’s famous Heartbreak Hill.
Hassan, who only took up marathon running in a professional capacity last year, reinforced that finishing was her primary target all along. Reflecting on her journey from being a refugee in the Netherlands to achieving Olympic glory, she encapsulated her determination and resilience, making her an inspiration to many.