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Sifan Hassan had doubts heading into the marathon and the challenges she faced spurred her to victory.
Paris Olympics marathon champion Sifan Hassan has explained how she broke clear from the rest of the chasing park to claim gold in the Paris challenging course, in one of the most competitive races of the Games in recent times.
One of the most diverse athletes of her generation, Sifan surpassed even her own expectations when she scooped medals in all three long-distance running events in Paris: bronze in both the 5000m and 10,000m, then gold – and a new Olympic record of 2:22:55 – in the marathon.
The 31-year-old Dutchwoman said she deployed almost a walking tactic when climbing uphill and maximised her pace downhill.
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11:18 - 04.12.2024
'It wasn't perfect' - Sifan Hassan on why it was terrifying to compete in three distances at the Paris Olympics
Hassan competed in three grueling races at the Paris Olympics, winning marathon gold and bronze in both 5000m and 10000m
"When it came to the hill – here we go! – I was almost walking. Everybody was running, but I thought: 'I’m going to catch you because this downhill will be crazy'. I knew how hard it would be. And because of the practice, it made it less hard. It was a crazy course – but it was beautiful,” the 2020 Tokyo Olympic 5000m champion told World Athletics.
Sifan, who clinched Tokyo Olympic 10000m gold, finished three seconds clear after outsprinting Ethiopia's then world record-holder Tigist Assefa. It was the smallest ever winning margin in the women’s marathon at the Games as Hellen Obiri settled for bronze in a PB of 2:23:10.
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11:00 - 03.12.2024
'It’s not only me' - Speechless Sifan Hassan reveals crazy 2024 after being crowned Women’s World Athlete of the Year
The Dutchwoman added another title to her trophy cabinet as her stellar career takes shape.
Reflecting on the defining moments during the race, Sifan, who acquired Dutch citizenship in 2013, said she felt so drained until she considered falling down in a drama-filled finish.
"You know, when I run there is always some kind of big drama. And that marathon I told myself I will do everything. At one point, I thought I was going to fall down. I didn’t want to fall down – it would look bad. So it was crazy. You know, I don’t really like drama, but drama follows me,” she reiterated.
Sifan is only the second of three women to complete an Olympic distance double.
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