Sifan Hassan set out to simply finish her marathon at the Paris Olympics, but she ended up making history instead. The 31-year-old Dutch runner had contemplated whether she could even complete the race, let alone stand on the podium, as she took on an ambitious challenge reminiscent of legendary athlete Emil Zátopek, who is the only competitor to have medaled in the Olympics’ three longest races: the 5000m, 10,000m, and marathon.
Inspired by Zátopek, Hassan decided to compete in all three events over nine days in Paris, a feat that many might consider overwhelming. After securing bronze medals in the 5,000m and 10,000m, the women’s marathon awaited her on Sunday, overwhelming even her. “To finish the marathon is a kind of hell,” she said prior to the race.
However, Hassan not only finished, but she also won, clocking an Olympic record time of 2:22.55 in the marathon. Following her victory, she expressed a whirlwind of emotions, admitting to feeling scared but incredibly focused during the race. “I was never more focused in my life, until that moment,” she recalled.
The climax of the marathon came during the final stretch, where Hassan found herself battling Ethiopian world record holder Tigst Assefa. With just 150 meters left, Hassan executed a decisive move, nudging past Assefa and sprinting ahead to claim gold. She celebrated by raising her fingers to the sky and joyfully screaming as she crossed the finish line, bringing home three Olympic medals from Paris: marathon gold, and bronzes from the 5,000m and 10,000m events.
Hassan’s remarkable achievements now make her the first athlete in history to garner Olympic medals across these four long-distance races. She reflected on her success, admitting it felt like a dream and emphasizing the effort required to complete a marathon.
Her time not only broke the Olympic record set by Ethiopia’s Tiki Gelana in 2012 but also solidified her position as an extraordinary athlete. Assefa took silver with a time of 2:22.58, marking her first Olympic medal, while Kenya’s Hellen Obiri secured bronze with a time of 2:23.10.
American runners Dakotah Lindwurm and Emily Sisson placed 12th and 23rd, respectively, while Fiona O’Keeffe, the 2024 U.S. Marathon Trials champion, was unable to finish. Hassan’s marathon victory serves as a fitting conclusion to her Olympic experience, which has been characterized by resilience and unprecedented achievement.
Remarkably, Hassan had never participated in a professional marathon until last April, when she won her debut at the 2023 London Marathon while fasting during Ramadan. The grueling Paris marathon route presented a significant challenge, with its steep climbs and demanding terrain, but Hassan triumphed through it all, solidifying her legacy within the sport.
Having fled Ethiopia as a teenager, Hassan’s journey from a lonely refugee to an Olympic champion is a testament to her determination and strength, making her an inspirational figure to many around the world.