The Unstoppable Sifan Hassan: A Run for the Ages
In a thrilling Olympic marathon that will go down in history, Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands etched her name among the greats of all time.
With a breathtaking sprint in the final 250 meters, Hassan overcame a shove from Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia and achieved an extraordinary triple victory in distance running.
In just a week, she claimed bronze medals in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters on the track before securing the gold in the marathon on Sunday, a feat that left spectators in awe of her exceptional endurance and talent.
Despite a tumultuous push from Assefa, Hassan’s determination only grew as she surged ahead of the world record holder to cross the finish line at Invalides. Overwhelmed with emotion, she collapsed briefly before rising to her feet, proclaiming herself the Olympic marathon champion as the crowd erupted in cheers.
“I have no words for it,” Hassan admitted.
Despite her initial doubts about competing in multiple events, Hassan’s gritty performance proved her critics wrong. Fueled by sheer resilience, she defied the odds and outlasted her rivals to achieve an Olympic record time of 2:22:55.
Her monumental victory not only made her the first woman to achieve such a remarkable feat but also drew comparisons to legendary runner Emil Zátopek, who accomplished a similar triumph at the Helsinki Olympics in 1952.
For Hassan, the road to success wasn’t easy. Battling fatigue and doubt, she pushed through the pain, relying on her unmatched speed and endurance to secure a win that will be remembered for years to come.
As she crossed the finish line, Hassan’s triumph solidified her status as a generational talent and a true legend in the world of distance running.
Medalists Tigst Assefa, Sifan Hassan and Hellen Obiri celebrate in front of Les Invalides. Hassan capped a distance-running treble with a gold medal. (Joris Verwijst / BSR Agency / Getty Images)
Sifan Hassan and Tigst Assefa make contact down the final stretch of Sunday’s marathon. Hassan shook it off and moved past Assefa to take gold. (Michael Steele / Getty Images)
