“What just happened!?!”
That’s the question many were asking after Sifan Hassan’s remarkable victory in the women’s marathon at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Her journey over 62 kilometers across ten days, culminating in an Olympic record time of 2:22:55, was nothing short of extraordinary. Even Hassan herself admitted it felt “crazy” and like a dream come true.
“I became Olympic Champion in the marathon. I completed my mission with three medals—two bronze and gold in my favorite distance, I am speechless,” said the Dutch runner, the first woman to achieve such a feat.
Hassan’s success echoes the legendary Emil Zatopek, who won medals in the 5000m, 10,000m, and marathon at the 1952 Helsinki Games. Yet, Hassan remains humble: “I am no legend. I’m just some crazy, curious person that does everything.”
When the women’s marathon began at the Hotel de Ville in Paris, many doubted Hassan would finish. The challenging course had earlier defeated marathon great Eliud Kipchoge, but Hassan was determined. Having lived in the Netherlands since relocating from Ethiopia as a refugee, she wanted to return home as a winner—and she did just that.
Her preparation was meticulous. Hassan trained on steep hills in Utah, replicating the Paris course. Her coach, Tim Rowberry, revealed that Hassan pushed herself to the limit, even overtraining at times due to her fear of the marathon distance. “We don’t always agree on the workouts, but in the end, we always came to some compromise,” Rowberry said.
The marathon’s slow pace played to Hassan’s advantage, conserving her energy for a final sprint finish against four other competitors. Her strategy paid off, securing her gold in Paris after previous marathon victories in London and Chicago.
“I was scared,” Hassan admitted. “When we approached the finish line, I was like, ‘what if they catch me?’ I couldn’t believe it until I crossed it.”
Her achievement has inspired fellow athletes. Sharon Lokedi, who finished fourth, praised Hassan: “Three medals in 10 days? She gives us hope, knowing we can all do it.” Bronze medalist Hellen Obiri added, “She has worked so hard and is inspiring many of us.”
Looking ahead, Hassan remains as ambitious as ever. “I want to run a fast time in the 1500m, a PB. “I just want to go hard, do it, and get out of my comfort zone,” she said, hinting at a potential return to track events at Los Angeles 2028, “I want to see if I can run a marathon and return to track; I want to be everywhere.”
With her indomitable spirit and relentless drive, Hassan has shown that even the most “crazy” dreams are worth pursuing.
