Athletics: Sifan Hassan (NED) wins the women’s marathon!
What an incredible climax to this race!
As the finish line edges closer, that group of five dwindles to four, then to three, until Hassan and Assefa hit the afterburners and engage in a sprint battle to the end.
And a battle it was, for as Hassan attempted to get around Assefa, the two athletes briefly make contact as they fight for position. But Hassan’s kick is stronger, and the Dutchwoman pulls away in the last 100m or so to win gold in a new Olympic record time of 2:22:55!
It’s Hassan’s third Olympic medal of Paris 2024, the sixth Olympic medal of her career, and the first ever Olympic gold in the marathon for the Netherlands.
Assefa is just three seconds behind to win silver, while bronze goes to Hellen Obiri, her third Olympic medal after winning two silvers at Rio 2016 on the track.
🥇**Sifan Hassan (NED): 2:22:55 OR
🥈Tigst Assefa (ETH): 2:22:58
🥉Hellen Obiri (KEN): 2:23:10**