Treble-seeking and Olympic champion Sifan Hassan’s hopes of achieving another medal treble were shattered in a heart-wrenching moment during the 10,000 metres final at the world championships.
As the race drew to a close, the Dutch star, who had already advanced the 1,500m earlier in the day, tragically fell just moments before the finish line. This unfortunate incident marked the end of her treble bid and left spectators in awe as Ethiopia clinched an unexpected podium sweep.
Despite her fall, Hassan revealed that she had felt strong and attributed the incident to being pushed by another athlete. In a post-race interview with German broadcaster ZDF, she expressed her disappointment but remained positive about her performance.
Meanwhile, replays of the race suggested that there may have been some contact between Hassan and Gudaf Tsegay, the eventual gold medalist. Tsegay’s victory marked her second career world title, following her triumph in the 5,000m event in 2022.
The reigning champion, Letesenbet Giday, secured the silver medal, while Ejgayehu Taye completed the remarkable Ethiopian sweep by clinching the bronze. As for Hassan, she managed to gather herself and crossed the finish line in 11th place, demonstrating her determination and resilience despite the devastating turn of events.
Champion Sifan Hassan’s medals
Hassan, who had previously won gold in the 5,000m and 10,000m events, as well as a bronze in the 1,500m at the Tokyo Olympics, had set her sights on achieving another astonishing medal haul in Budapest.
However, her ambitions were abruptly halted dramatically and unforgettably, leaving both fans and athletes in awe of the unpredictable nature of sports.
