Hassan won two bronze medals in both the 5000 and 10000 meter races, before snatching gold in the marathon at the Paris Olympics.
Olympic marathon champion Sifan Hassan has shed light on why she decided to take a five-month break from competitive running following her extraordinary performances at the Paris Olympics.
The Dutch athlete, celebrated for her incredible range and endurance, once again proved her mettle in Paris by clinching bronze medals in the 5000m and 10,000m before triumphing in the grueling marathon.
This achievement solidified Hassan’s legacy as a once-in-a-generation athlete. In Paris, she won Olympic gold in marathon, bronze in both 5000m and 10,000m, adding another chapter to her remarkable career, which includes double gold and a bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
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But such relentless competition and success come with a toll. After her demanding Olympic schedule, Hassan opted for a much-needed hiatus. Reflecting on her decision, she told CITIUS Mag:
“I do not think I have taken such a long break ever since going pro in 2013. This is the longest time I have taken time away. Until the end of December, I was recovering, not training, and gained a bit of weight.”
Hassan described the break as a chance to reconnect with loved ones and embrace the life she had put on hold for years.
“I really have not had enough time to chat to my friends and family or do anything over that period. They always contacted me to hang out, but I was always busy,” she admitted.
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For Hassan, the break was about more than just physical recovery; it was about rekindling personal connections.
“This time, I just decided to have time for my family and friends so they could feel I was there and with them. I visited my friend for two weeks and we just hung out, had coffee, and chilled. I was running for so long, I did not really miss it anymore.”
As she prepares to return to competition at the London Marathon in April 2025, Hassan acknowledged the mixed emotions accompanying her comeback.
“I got nervous and excited at the same time when I got told I would be taking part in the London Marathon,” she said. Her reaction to seeing the elite field for the race was refreshingly candid: “I looked at the elite list for the marathon and I was like, ‘Oh freak!’”
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The US sprint legend has sung the praises of the Dutch long-distance athlete who made history by signing up for three races at the Paris Olympics and medaling in all of them.
Hassan’s decision to step away from the sport highlights the importance of balance in the life of an elite athlete.
As she prepares for her highly anticipated return, fans will no doubt be eager to see how this break rejuvenates one of the most remarkable runners in the history of athletics.
