Sifan Hassan makes history at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games

Sifan Hassan capped a tremendous 2024 Paris Olympic Games with a gold in the marathon event. It was her third medal of the Games and her third Olympic gold.

She kicked away from one of the strongest fields ever assembled in Olympic history and ran 2:22:55 for a new Olympic record. At one point before the finish, Tigist Assega and Hassan bumped hard as they sprinted toward the finish.

Ethiopia’s Tigist Assega finished second in 2:22:58, she holds the current world record at 2:11:53. Taking third was two-time Olympic silver medallist in the 5000m Hellen Obiri of Kenya in 2:23:10. The top French athlete was WOLDU Mekdes in 20th position in the time of 2:29:20. Defending Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya finished 15th in 2:26:51.

SIFAN HASSAN OLYMPIC MARATHON CHAMP ‼️

🇳🇱's @SifanHassan storms to the 🥇 in the marathon after a crazy sprint finish with world record-holder Tigist Assefa.

2:22:55 Olympic record⏱️

That's her 3rd medal at @Paris2024 😤#Paris2024 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/aUogcTjQJa

— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) August 11, 2024

Hassan became the first athlete since Emil Zatopek in 1952 to take medals in the 5000m, 10,000m and marathon in a single Games. She is the first woman ever to complete the feat. She was initially aiming for four golds by entering the 1500m event as well, but backed out of the metric mile. She did not quite achieve her goal of three golds, as she earned bronze in both the 5000m and 10,000m events.

On her victory, Hassan was full of gratitude, saying, “What just happened!?! I became Olympic Champion on the marathon. I completed my mission with 3 medals, 2 bronze and gold on my favourite distance. I am speechless. Thank you for all the support alongside the road, thank you for the team around me.”

Hassan shocked everyone in July by announcing she would compete in all four, then three events, meaning over 62km of running across ten days in a gruelling schedule.

As the leading contenders made moves Hassan bided her time, always following the blue line that denoted the shortest course, and even at times dropping off the leading pack.

As the race reached its crescendo and the pace started to pick up, the front group reduced to five contenders as they passed the Eiffel Tower with 5km to go, but still, Hassan waited.

Two Kenyans, two Ethiopians and the Dutch athlete bidding for Olympic history.

Still, the pack reduced until it was just her against world-record-holder Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia. Hassan epically closing her final 400m to run away down the blue carpet.

Hassan has now won six Olympic medals at every distance from 1500m to the marathon.

The 31-year-old London Marathon and Chicago Marathon winner is the second fastest of all time over the distance having clocked 2:13:44 in Chicago last year.

Eleven competitors dropped out of the race.

Results