Sifan Hassan’s endurance gamble at the Paris Games finally paid off after she sprinted to Olympic marathon gold in the French capital on Sunday.
The Ethiopian-born Dutch athlete entered the marathon on the back of two bronze medals won in the 5,000m and 10,000m in a stunning bid for podium finishes in three events.
And Hassan did not disappoint as he held off Ethiopian Tigst Assefa to win in an Olympic record time of 2hrs 22mins 55secs.
It mirrored Hassan’s efforts at the Covid-hit Tokyo Games three years ago, when she also won three medals: two golds (5,000m, 10,000m) and a bronze (1,500m).
Assefa took silver in 2:22.58, Kenyan Hellen Obiriová (2:23.10) took bronze.
“It wasn’t easy,” Hassan said. “It was terribly hot, but I felt good.
“I’ve never pushed myself to the finish line like I did today.
Hassan, who won the 2023 London Marathon on her debut at the distance and then clocked the second-best time in 2:13.44 to win the Chicago Marathon in October, said Olympic gold was the crowning glory.
“I was so happy at the London Marathon, but I’m even happier today, I can’t believe I’m an Olympic marathon champion!” she said.
Heading from the center of Paris on a loop to Versailles, the 42km marathon course replicated a key moment of the French Revolution: the Women’s March on Versailles, October 5, 1789, which led to France’s King Louis XVI finally agreeing to ratify the Declaration. on human and citizen rights.
The route included 436m of ascent and 438m of descent. The maximum gradient on the route was 13.5 percent.
The 31-year-old Hassan suffered in a grueling 1:38 climb and it looked like it could be for her bid for a historic treble.
But Hassan is nothing short of a tough competitor and she quickly faltered in the lead group on a perilous descent.
Assefa and teammate Amane Beriso Shankule pushed on.
The Kenyan trio of Sharon Lokedi, defending champion Peres Jepchirchir and Obiri stayed with the two Ethiopians as they covered 30km in 1:43.59.
Hassan was close with the East Africans and at the 33km mark the number was reduced to five, Jepchirchir dropped.
Shankule also faded with 2km to go, giving the group of four three podium finishes.
Like a sprint stage of the Tour de France, the quartet battled for the last kilometer, Obiri rising sharply, eyes darting left and right, all four ready to react at the slightest acceleration.
Hassan probed as the winding Invalides final continued, Lokedi unable to keep pace.
And then there were three: Hassan, Assefa and Obiri.
Assefa launched a final attack and dropped Obiri.
It came down to Hassan vs. Assefa. The Dutch athlete came around the corner and actually collided with the Ethiopian. The pair got back into rhythm and Hassan produced a perfect sprint for a memorable gold.
