Sifan Hassan is literally running herself into the history books! The 28-year-old athlete just won the Netherlands first gold medal in athletics since 1992.
On top of that, she’s only the fourth to Dutchie to win an individual medal in the entire history of the Olympics — you go, girl!
With a plan to win gold in the 1,500 and 10,000 metres, her first victory in the 5,000 metres race is an incredible feat. She ran the track in 14:36:79, reports the NOS.
Took a tumble in the qualifier but recovered FAST
It didn’t come without a struggle. In the qualifier before the final, Hassan was keeping a steady pace for the first two laps, sitting around 10th place. However, she powered up for the end and quickly move to seventh and then the top three.
In the final lap, however, Hassan crashed as she ran into another athlete who’d fallen. But this couldn’t stop her. She got back up and was impressively able to regain her position at the top of the race, before darting to the finish line as number one. That’s what we call perseverance! 💪
Long journey to the Olympics
It’s not only on the track that Hassan has shown her perseverance though. She came to the Netherlands in 2008 as a 15-year-old refugee from Ethiopia and has continued to push boundaries since. Just like on the track, she never looks back and always does her utmost to succeed.
Hassan has been on Team NL since 2013 and according to her trainers, her drive to succeed is unprecedented.
Just as an example, the decision to pursue three different distances at the Olympics was “very brave” according to her current coach who was not sure if it was possible. Hassan, however, has proven not to be one to underestimate!
What do you think of this victory? Tell us in the comments below!
Feature Image: filip bosuyt/Wikimedia Commons/CC2.0
Very nice! Congratulations!
I’m guessing you never heard of Fanny Blankers Koen!
The Dutch woman who won 4 individual gold medals in the 1948 summer Olympics in London?