Hassan made historical past as soon as once more, changing into the primary girl ever to win not one — however two — bronze medals within the 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter races earlier than successful gold within the marathon on the Olympic Games Paris 2024
When it involves long-distance operating, Sifan Hassan has already cemented her place within the historical past books. But her story is about a lot greater than an awe-inspiring assortment of medals and world data. Incredible grit, openness and willpower led her to the place she is immediately.
Hassan has been chasing challenges her entire life. At the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, she fell through the ladies’s 1,500-meter race and but went on to qualify for the semi-finals. She was virtually hit by a bike whereas grabbing water on the 2023 London Marathon however went on to win gold at her first aggressive marathon ever. The Olympic Games Paris 2024 was no exception. Hassan set the extraordinarily bold aim of competing in three consecutive long-distance races over the span of 1 week.
▲ Sifan Hassan of Team Netherlands competes within the ladies’s marathon. (Photo by Michael Steele / Getty Images)
Samsung Newsroom caught up with Hassan shortly after her epic efficiency in Paris to be taught extra about her Olympic expertise and discover out what drives her.
▲ Sifan Hassan
Q. Competing in three long-distance occasions at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 was an bold alternative — however ambition appears to be your trademark. What motivates you to tackle these seemingly unattainable challenges?
I’m a curious individual, and I get uninterested in routines. Training for one thing I had already accomplished in Tokyo felt repetitive. I wished to attempt one thing new that nobody else or only some others had accomplished earlier than. It appeared laborious, however I wished to see simply how laborious it was. That’s what motivated me!
Q. How did you begin getting ready to compete in all three occasions? Did you develop a novel technique to sort out every one?
I all the time attempt to be an entire athlete and practice for various distances. The marathon was in all probability a very powerful occasion to me on the Olympic Games, so I centered lots on it. But I gave the opposite distances the identical dedication to be prepared for something.
Q. How did expertise help your journey to the Olympic Games Paris 2024? Were there any particular instruments or units that made a distinction in your coaching or efficiency?
I’m typically away from my household and buddies for altitude coaching and races, so having the ability to video name them after I need utilizing my Galaxy S24 Ultra is essential. I additionally personal a Galaxy wearable gadget related my smartphone which is so light-weight that I overlook I’ve it on when operating. The gadget shares insights to assist me know and take heed to my physique higher — particularly in terms of sleep, an important a part of my coaching.
Q. You took the lead within the closing dash and set a brand new Olympic Games file. How did you really feel?
To be sincere, it felt like a firework went off in my head. I stayed centered all the way in which to the end line, even as much as the final 10 meters, as a result of I used to be afraid of falling. In a marathon, you by no means know what can occur. It was simply pure happiness after I crossed the end line.
Q. You competed within the marathon simply 35 hours after successful the bronze medal within the 10,000–meter race. How did you handle to relaxation and get better in such a brief quantity of time?
I knew sleep and vitamin have been going to be key from the beginning — not simply in between the 10,000-meter race and the marathon however all through your entire Olympic Games. I attempted to steer clear of any distractions and bought as a lot sleep as doable!
▲ (From left) Silver medalist Beatrice Chebet of Team Kenya, gold medalist Faith Kipyegon of Team Kenya and bronze medalist Sifan Hassan of Team Netherlands pose for a Victory Selfie after the ladies’s 5,000-meter closing. (Photo by Andy Astfalck / BSR Agency / Getty Images)
Q. It was the primary time the ladies’s marathon…
