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Hassan has criticised Tsegay for her notorious boxing antics after they initially caused Faith Kipyegon to be wrongly judged and stripped off her silver medal in the 5000m of the ongoing Paris Olympic games.
Two-time Olympic champion Sifan Hassan has strongly criticized Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay for what she described as "dirty tricks" during the women’s 5000m final at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The incident, which nearly cost Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon her silver medal, has sparked intense debate within the athletics community.
During the closing laps of the 5000m final, Faith Kipyegon found herself in a difficult position when Tsegay appeared to box her in, an aggressive tactic that left the Kenyan visibly frustrated. Kipyegon momentarily raised her arm in protest but quickly refocused on the race.
In a thrilling sprint to the finish, Kipyegon took the lead and seemed on course to secure the gold medal. However, her compatriot Beatrice Chebet made a late charge, overtaking Kipyegon in the final 60 meters to win her first Olympic title with a time of 14:28.56. Kipyegon crossed the line in second place.
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02:00 - 06.08.2024
BREAKING: Repreive for Faith Kipyegon as her Paris 2024 Olympic 5000m silver medal gets reinstated upon appeal
Kipyegon had seen her silver medal originally snatched from her after initially being judged to have obstructed Ethiopia's Gudaf Tsegay.
What should have been a moment of celebration turned into a bitter disappointment for Kipyegon when race officials disqualified her for violating Rule TR17.2.2 (163.2(b)), which deals with jostling or obstruction.
The rule allows for disqualification if an athlete is deemed to have jostled, pushed, or obstructed another competitor during the race. As a result, Kipyegon was stripped of her silver medal, elevating Sifan Hassan to second place and Italy’s Nadia Battocletti to bronze.
Kenyan team officials, led by Milka Chemos, Bernard Ouma, and Team Manager Peter Angwenyi, quickly filed an appeal against Kipyegon’s disqualification.
They argued that the contact between Kipyegon and Tsegay was incidental and part of the natural dynamics of a competitive race, rather than a deliberate infraction.
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23:30 - 05.08.2024
Explained: Why Faith Kipyegon was disqualified despite finishing second in Paris Olympics 5000m final
Faith Kipyegon experienced a brutal end to her Paris 2024 Olympics 5,000m campaign after her silver medal win was quashed.
The appeal panel reviewed the evidence and ultimately agreed with the Kenyan team, concluding that the disqualification was unwarranted. As a result, Kipyegon’s silver medal was reinstated.
Despite Kipyegon’s reinstatement, Sifan Hassan did not hold back in her criticism of Tsegay’s tactics. Hassan, who herself is Ethiopian-born, expressed frustration over Tsegay's behavior, claiming it has cost her medals in the past.
Reflecting on her own experience, Hassan said, "It is always drama with Tsegay. She pushed me last year. She is always pulling and pushing. I feel bad for Faith Kipyegon. I wouldn't mind if she gets silver back."
Hassan was initially elevated to the silver medal position after Kipyegon’s disqualification but was content to settle for bronze after the appeal.
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23:00 - 05.08.2024
Beatrice Chebet wins Kenya's first gold medal at Paris Olympics as Faith Kipyegon is disqualified
Beatrice Chebet won Kenya's first gold medal at the Paris Olympics after a great victory past favourite Faith Kipyegon with the world champion losing silver over a track offence.
Her comments have brought further attention to the often-controversial tactics used in high-stakes competitions, particularly in tightly contested long-distance races.
As the dust settles on this dramatic episode, the reinstatement of Kipyegon’s silver medal provides some relief for the athlete and her supporters.
However, the incident has undoubtedly left a lasting impression on the track and field world, with Hassan's critique highlighting ongoing concerns about fairness and sportsmanship in elite competitions.
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