Dutch athlete Sifan Hassan, bronze medalist in the women’s 5,000m and 10,000m at the Olympics, won the track and field marathon at the Paris Games.
The 31-year-old Sifan Hassan, winner of both Olympic titles from Tokyo 2020 and winner of the London and Chicago marathons in 2023, triumphed on the course in the French capital in the classic distance of 42.195 km in 2:22.55 hours, setting a new Olympic record record.
She was 0.03 seconds ahead of Tigst Assefa (Ethiopia), who finished in 2:22.58.
Sifan Hassan and Tigst Assefa decided the winner in a spectacular final meters and even clashed in their sprint at the end, but Sifan Hassan’s experience helped her fight for the gold medal.
Bronze went to Hellen Obiri (Kenya), who finished 0.15 sec behind the winner. Hellen Obiri recorded a personal best after covering the distance in 2:23.10 hours.
Another Kenyan, Sharon Lokedi, placed fourth with a personal best of 2:23.14 hours, while Amane Beriso Shankule (Ethiopia) took fifth place with a time of 2:23.57 hours.
Olympic champion from three years ago in Tokyo Peres Jepchirchir (Kenya), also the world record holder after clocking 2:16.16 hours in June in London, failed to defend her title and become the first woman with two Olympic gold medals in the marathon.
Peres Jepchirchir finished 15th, 3:56 minutes behind the winner (2:26:51 hours), after dropping out of contention about 6 km before the finish.
