Dutch Sifan Hassan (31) has set herself a lofty goal for the Summer Olympics, namely she will participate in a total of four different exercises: 1,500 meters (trials, semi-finals and final), 5,000 meters (trials and final), 10,000 meters (final) and Marathon (final). In total, there could be seven races, 66.5 kilometers and four medals in ten days for the 31-year-old. SHOCKED: This is how Hassan reacted when she won Olympic gold in the 5000 metres. Photo: AP One person who allowed himself to be impressed by the high ambitions is news’s athletics commentator Jann Post. – If she ends up skipping four exercises, then it’s crazy. It will require a lot physically and mentally. The pre-bows will also be extremely demanding, the commentator believes. Post points to the great variation between the distances Hassan will compete in: – There is a big difference between 1,500 meters against the world record holder and a marathon on a hilly course. Fall from gold Ethiopian-born Hassan is full of challenges. “After darkness, comes light and after hardship, it gets easier,” the 31-year-old has said. Hassan was born in Adama, Ethiopia, where he grew up on a farm with his mother and grandmother. She was 15 when she came to the Netherlands as a refugee in 2008. A few years later, she was discovered as a talent while studying to become a nurse. Since then, Hassan has leapt into the history books. It is not the first time that the long-distance runner has attempted several distances in the same championship. During the Olympics in Tokyo three years ago, Hassan tried his hand at the triple with 1,500, 5,000 and 10,000 meters. Even with two golds and one bronze (1500 metres). – Why do you think he is going for the Olympic quadruple now? – She likes the craziness of it. It seems that she is motivated by the fact that others think of it as impossible. She became the first to win 1,500 and 10,000 meters in the same WC and went for three distances in the previous Olympics. So we have seen him challenge in new ways before too, says Post. Last year she tried to repeat her success in the World Championships in athletics in Budapest, but in the 10,000 meters she fell short of the gold medal. Hassan has said that a thousand thoughts went through her head when she fell. – I thought: “Okay, I have to calm down, I can’t cry because I’m already a success, I have to be a role model for people who have challenges”. She tried to see the positive in it: – It could have been worse. Did I lose my teeth? No. Did I lose my hand? No, I’m fine, I’m healthy, and I have to be grateful. In retrospect, she has looked at it even more philosophically: – We all have ups and downs, I think that’s what makes life beautiful. news’s athletics expert interprets the fall as follows: – The fall last year was probably a result of the programme. He is afraid that this year’s Olympic program may also be too tough, even for the experienced Hassan: – It could certainly be too much for her. Both there and then, and afterwards. After the previous Olympics, she went on a rampage and trained very little for half a year. It was a discharge of the rare, Post believes. GIVE IT ALL: The long-distance runner is used to getting out. Here she lies with an ice pack after she won the 10,000 meters in the Olympics in Tokyo. Photo: AP You have to go back 100 years in time to find something similar – Is there really anyone who can measure up to Hassan’s ambitions? – Not in athletics right now. There are several who could run several distances. But they are not willing to gamble away the chances of winning in their best practices, says Post. IMPRESSED: news’s athletics expert and commentator Jann Post thinks nothing can compare to Hassan’s Olympic plans. Photo: Celina Øier, news We have to go way back in time to find something similar to Hassan’s stunt. In fact, we have to go all the way back to precisely the Olympics in Paris 100 years ago. Finnish Paavo Nurmi ran 1500 (trials and final), 5000 (trials and final), cross-country and 3000 m team competition (trials and final). The long-distance runner took part in seven competitions in six days, and won them all. But athletics has developed a lot in 100 years – so can the achievements as a whole be compared? – Nurmi was a fresh type, who was unique in his time. He was also annoyed that the Finns distributed the winning chances so that he did not get to run 10,000 meters in a championship. I think the marathon as the last practice makes a possible quadruple for Hassan at least as demanding. In addition, athletics has probably developed a bit that you meet more specialists in individual exercises now, says Post. OLYMPIC IN PARIS: Paavo Nurmi won four Olympic golds in six days during the Olympic Games in Paris 100 years ago. Photo: AP – Will be satisfied if she wins a medal in the whole event The only one to have won gold in the 5,000 metres, 10,000 meters and marathons in the same Olympics is the Czech Emil Zatopek. He won triple gold in 1952. Post doubts whether Hassan can do the same. – The way it looks right now, she should be satisfied if she takes a medal in the whole event, says Post. Nevertheless, he does not write off the ambitious Dutchman: – We have seen her hit extremely well with championship form in the past. 1500 meters will be very demanding this time with three runners under 3.51 this year. 5000 meters holds a higher level than ever. Post believes Hassan has the best chance in the 10,000 meters and marathon. – But now they come late in the championship for her. I will be very surprised and impressed if she takes 4 medals, says Post. RIVAL: Faith Kipyegon is the big favorite to take the gold in the 1500 meters and 5000 meters. Can Hassan beat her? Photo: JEWEL SAMAD / AFP Published 19.07.2024, at 05.27
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