PARIS — Ethiopian-born Dutch runner Sifan Hassan is not satisfied with defending her 5,000- and 10,000-meter titles at the Olympics. She is also challenging herself by adding the marathon to her program at the Paris Games.
“I can’t tell you I’m going to get the gold medal in every event,” Hassan said Wednesday. “It is very hard.”
Hassan’s program for the upcoming Games will include:
– The 5,000 heats on Friday and the final on Monday.
– The 10,000 on Friday, Aug. 9.
– The marathon on Sunday, Aug. 11.
She will cover a total distance of 62 kilometers (38.6 miles) – nearly the equivalent of running from Paris to Versailles and back twice. Hassan will have only about 35 hours between the end of the 10,000 and the start of the marathon.
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“I’m curious to see what will happen,” Hassan said. “My main goal is to finish all the events and focus on recovery.”
Although Hassan could have competed in a fourth event after winning bronze in the 1,500 in Tokyo, she aims to match Emil Zatopek’s accomplishment from 1952, when he won the 5,000, 10,000, and the marathon at the Helsinki Games.
Reflecting on her earlier victories, Hassan recalled learning about Zatopek and watching a film about him which inspired her. She expressed her admiration for him and his achievements.
