Sifan Hassan, a Dutch female distance runner, made history by winning the Olympic Games marathon in a record-breaking time of 2 hours, 22 minutes, 55 seconds. Despite facing criticism and doubts, Hassan also claimed her third career gold medal at the age of 31. Born in Ethiopia, she immigrated to the Netherlands as a refugee and initially wanted to study nursing before transitioning into becoming a world-class middle-distance runner.
Hassan’s victory at the Olympic marathon was a symbolic moment as she chose to wear a hijab, a traditional head covering for Muslim women, during the medal ceremony, despite it being banned during the Paris Games by several sports federations. Throughout her career, Hassan has showcased her versatility by excelling in various distances, including setting world records and winning gold medals at major championships.
By sweeping the 5,000, 10,000, and marathon gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics, Hassan achieved a rare triple that had never been done before by any athlete. Her determination and drive to push her limits and compete at the highest level have earned her respect and admiration from her competitors and fans.
Despite facing physical and mental challenges during the Olympic marathon, Hassan overcame them to claim victory in an epic finish. Her perseverance and dedication to the sport have solidified her status as one of the greatest female distance runners of all time. As she stood on the podium wearing a hijab, Hassan sent a powerful message of strength and resilience to the world, proving that nothing can hold her back from achieving her dreams.
Source
Photo credit www.dailynews.com