Sifan Hassan has revealed why she is feeling scared and nervous ahead of women's marathon showdown at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The Netherlands’ Ethiopian-born icon Sifan Hassan has admitted to having doubts about competing in Sunday’s women’s marathon after she won bronze in the final of the 5000m at the ongoing Paris 2024 Olympic games on Monday night.
Hassan had been aiming to compete in the 1,500, 5,000m, 10,000m as well as the dreadful 42km marathon. She, however, withdrew from the 1,500m and after running the 5,000m, two grueling events still await.
Speaking to the media, Hassan admitted to constantly thinking about the marathon while she was actually racing in the final of the 5,000m on Monday, revealing she felt butterflies flying inside her stomach.
20:30 - 06.08.2024
Beatrice Chebet delves into strategy she used to beat Faith Kipyegon to Olympic 5000m gold, reveals how Sifan Hassan inspires her
Chebet has now revealed the tactics she applied in training to beat her compatriot Faith Kipyegon and Sifan Hassan to the Olympic 5000m gold medal.
“It is true. I really wanted to throw up before the race. I think the marathon got into my head and I could not get it off during the race,” Hassan said.
“I remember after we hit three laps, I was like, ‘Can we handle this for 42 kilometers?’ but I was like ‘No, no, you have to focus.”
“I am really freaking scared of the marathon.”
15:30 - 06.08.2024
New Olympic 5000m champion Beatrice Chebet gives first-hand account of altercation between Gudaf Tsegay & Faith Kipyegon
Chebet, who was crowned the 5000m gold medalist, has given her account on what really happened between Tsegay and Kipyegon that initially saw the Olympic comitee strip the latter off her silver medal before reinstating it.
However, Hassan is still expected to participate in the event. “I am focusing step-by-step. I am scared of doing 42km but I really have to be grateful. I already have two gold medals and three bronze medals at the Olympic games, so I have to be really grateful and lower my stress.
“I am very nervous but my stress will be over after Sunday.”
In the 10,000m, she will line up against world record holder Beatrice Chebet, the new Olympic 5,000m champion, as well as Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia, Lilian Kasait and Margaret Kipkemoi of Kenya.
12:30 - 06.08.2024
Sifan Hassan slams Ethiopia's Gudaf Tsegay's dark arts after nearly ruining Faith Kipyegon's night
Hassan has criticised Tsegay for her notorious boxing antics after they initially caused Faith Kipyegon to be wrongly judged and stripped off her silver medal in the 5000m of the ongoing Paris Olympic games.
In the marathon, she will face stiff competition from the potent Kenyan trio of Peres Jepchirchir, Hellen Obiri and Sharon Lokedi.