Sifan Hassan entered the Paris Olympics with a singular focus: to finish the marathon. The 31-year-old athlete described her ambitions as “crazy,” but she was determined to test her limits. With the unique challenge of competing in all three of the Olympics’ longest races—the 5000m, 10,000m, and marathon—Hassan sought to follow in the footsteps of legendary Czech runner Emil Zátopek, who was the only athlete to win medals in those events.
Having already secured bronze medals in both the 5000m and 10,000m events, Hassan faced the marathon with a mix of excitement and trepidation. “To finish the marathon is a kind of hell,” she confessed before the race.
Despite her concerns, Hassan not only completed the marathon but she also emerged victorious, clinching the gold medal in a stunning Olympic record time of 2:22.55. The win added to her impressive medal haul, making her a trailblazer in Olympic history with medals across four distance events.
Hassan expressed a whirlwind of emotions following her victory, admitting she had never felt more focused in her life. Her competitive spirit shone through during the final stages of the race when she found herself in a fierce battle for the lead with world record holder Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia. In a decisive moment, she executed a remarkable maneuver to regain the lead, sprinting past Assefa with 150 meters remaining and sealing her triumph.
With a burst of joy, Hassan celebrated her win, raising her arms in victory as she crossed the finish line. This achievement, coupled with her previous medals at the Tokyo Olympics, places her in a league of her own. She is the first athlete to earn Olympic medals in the marathon and all three distance track events.
Hassan’s marathon victory eclipsed the previous Olympic record of 2:23.07, set by Ethiopia’s Tiki Gelana in 2012. Assefa finished in silver with a time of 2:22.58, and Hellen Obiri of Kenya secured bronze at 2:23.10.
Despite her success, Hassan’s journey as a marathoner is relatively new; she only made her professional marathon debut in April 2023, winning the London Marathon while fasting for Ramadan. The challenging Paris course presented a significant test, featuring considerable elevation changes and demanding conditions.
Hassan’s story is inspiring, originating from her journey as a refugee from Ethiopia to the Netherlands at the age of 15. Overcoming loneliness and hardship, she has become a symbol of resilience and excellence in the sport, earning her place in Olympic history.