Sifan Hassan: Dutch star surges to Olympic record women's marathon gold to claim medal in third Paris 2024 event
Updated 11/08/2024 at 14:29 GMT
Sifan Hassan claimed the gold medal in the women's marathon at Paris 2024, finishing with an Olympic record time of 2:22:55. A five-woman group including Sharon Lokedi, Tigst Assefa, Amane Beriso Shankule and Hellen Obiri were locked together with just over 2km to go as they approached the finish line, with Hassan finally pulling ahead to take her third medal of the Games.
'Almost a clash, elbows out!' - Hassan breaks clear of Assefa in brilliant finish to marathon
Sifan Hassan took gold in the women's marathon after a phenomenal final sprint battle with Tigst Assefa, finishing with a new Olympic record time of 2:22.55.
It is the Dutch runner's third medal at Paris 2024, having clinched bronze in the 5,000m and 10,000m, making her the first athlete to medal in all three events at a single Games since Czech runner Emil Zatopek at Helsinki in 1952.
Her time beat the previous Olympic record achieved by Tiki Gelana of Ethiopia, who finished the London 2012 marathon in 2:23.07.
Ethiopa's Assefa passed the finish line just three seconds after Hassan to take silver, while Kenya's Hellen Obiri came third in 2:23.10.
A five-woman group of Hassan, Assefa, Obiri, Amane Beriso Shankule and Sharon Lokedi had dominated the race for the final 10km, stretching far ahead of the competition.
The quintet were bunched together as the torturous elevated portion of the race died down, and they reared back into central Paris and approached the finish line.
But as is often the case, the first 20 miles were merely the preamble, and the final stretch saw the real racing start.
Obiri had briefly dropped back as the marathon hit the 35km mark, only to push herself back with the group and take the lead into the final stretch.
Shankule fell off the pack right before the 41km mark, with the duo of Lokedi and Obiri leading the way as Assefa and Hassan kept pace with the Kenyans.
It was then Lokedi's turn to drop off, leaving a trio of Hassan, Obiri and a quietly confident Assefa.
'How nice is that?' - Watch classy moment Hassan embraces late finisher in marathon
Obiri then dropped off shortly after, and the final two treated the crowd to an exciting finish.
Reigning Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir had already seen her title defence extinguished long before the final sprint.
The Kenyan was in third at the 25km but as the race entered its steepest hill, she plummeted down the field and the leading group took control.
The course was the same route as the men's race on Saturday, and just as brutal.
Hassan barged past Assefa in the final 250m, looking nervously over her shoulder before lifting her arms in triumph and claiming gold in front of the Esplanade des Invalides, pulling off one of the most incredible Olympic trebles.
It marks the end of an amazing week for the Dutchwoman, who captured marathon gold roughly 36 hours after the 10,000m bronze.
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer
Scan me
Share this article
Related Topics