A Dutch athlete returned to the British capital for the first time since the triumph of the London Marathon in April
The last time Sifan Hasan ran in London, she shocked the world by winning the London Marathon on her debut over 26.2 miles.
Her victory was one of the most extraordinary in the event’s history and involved everything from spraining her left leg at 20km to almost colliding with one of the support bikes as she went to get her drink on the embankment at 40km.
Now back in London, her appearance at the London Diamond League should in theory be less chaotic. We’re talking about Hassan, after all.
The 30-year-old is part of a star-studded 5000m line-up that includes Gudaf Tsegai, Beatrice Chebet and Alicia Monson to name a few.
Olympic champion Hassan will be one of the favorites and will no doubt be looking to improve on her 5000m personal best of 14:22.12, which she actually set at the 2019 London Diamond League.
Faith Kipiegon, who has now broken three world records in the 1500m, mile and 5000m in just two months, provides even more motivation for Hassan ahead of the World Championships in Budapest.
AW caught up with Hasan at the Diamond League press conference in London.
Sifan Hasan wins 5000m (Getty)
Faith Kipyegon broke the 5000m world record last month [14:05.20]. Is that extra motivation for you?
This is a really big motivation for me. I love challenges, and when athletes run hard, it’s better to see them if I run harder. I don’t just want to do well. I am truly thankful for athletes like Faith [Kipyegon] and Letesenbet [Gidey]. I’m always very happy because I just want to run more, but I can’t do everything. If you think it’s possible, then it’s easier.
What they show is possible. I’ve already set a world record for the mile, but I know I can run harder. When Faith runs like that yesterday, I know I can run harder. Faith ran 14:06 over 5000m and I think we can both go under 14 minutes. We’re going to surprise a lot of people.
What was your reaction to Faith Kipyegon’s mile world record? [4:07.64] in Monaco?
She is amazing and inspires me to run faster. I have a lot of respect for her and I think she’s amazing. I think a lot of female athletes are getting better and faster. Faith shows many younger athletes and myself that more world records are possible to break.
I thought he was going to break the world record, but the way he did it was amazing. Congratulations and see you again!
Are you planning to run both the 5000m and 10000m at the World Championships in Budapest?
I’m going to run, but I don’t know if I’ll do three yet [disciplines]. Whatever distance I run I will have a challenge as I will be racing Letesenbet over 10,000m and it will be Faith over 5,000m. I also want to try to improve my personal best in the 800m at some point next year [1:56.81 from 2017]. There will be no marathon in Budapest either!
I’ve already done all three [1500m, 5000m and 10,000m] at the Tokyo Olympics, and if I do them all again, it’s because it’s challenging and fun. I see other athletes who can also run long distances. I would like to see Jacob [Ingebrigtsen] over 800m and 10,000m. I want to see those who do 1500m races enter other races.
Sifan Hassan (London Marathon Events)
How important is Paris 2024 in the long term? what is the dream
I’m actually thinking more about that than the World Cup in Budapest. It’s been a very challenging couple of years for the athletes as we’ve gone from Tokyo to Eugene and now Budapest and Paris. The Olympics are very tough. We think we have time in our heads, but it’s always so fast.
Looking back, I was really thankful that I took a big break last year [season opener on July 8]. I have a fresh mind for Budapest and Paris.
READ MORE: London Diamond League review
I hope I’m not injured, I’m healthy and everything in my brain is fine.
Do you want to participate in the Paris Marathon 2024?
I do not know! Paris has such a special place in my heart as it is in Europe and so close to the Netherlands. I feel at home. Even when we came back from Tokyo via Paris, I was already emotional! I’m already focused on Paris. I don’t think I would have gone through the stress if the wait had been four years.
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