08/14/2024
Sifan Hassan, representing her country of the Netherlands, made Olympic history by medaling in the Games’ three longest races: the 5000m, 10,000m and the marathon.
Hassan ran 38.6 miles over nine days by competing in all three events. She finished it off by setting an Olympic record and winning the gold by completing the marathon in 2:22.55.
She had never run in a professional marathon until last April, when she won her debut at the 2023 London Marathon — while fasting during Ramadan.
The marathon course in Paris is described as "historically ruthless." Runners went up and down more than 1,430 feet of elevation, featuring a 13.5% climb. The Boston Marathon’s notorious Heartbreak Hill barely clears 3%.
If her athletic achievements weren't awe-inspiring enough, her personal story is inspiring. Hassan was born and raised in Ethiopia and fled to the Netherlands as a 15-year-old refugee.
When she stood on the podium during the Closing Ceremony to accept her gold medal, she wore a hijab. France, the country that banned its own athletes from wearing a headscarf honored a world champion runner wearing a hijab.
What an iconic moment.
This is everything I love about the Olympic Games.
Source: https://www.nbcolympics.com/womens-marathon-paris-olympics-gold-medal
