Hellen Obiri recounts the moment she knew Sifan Hassan would win Olympic marathon

Two-time Boston Marathon champion Hellen Obiri has revealed the moment she knew Sifan Hassan was going to win the Olympic marathon.

The 2023 New York City Marathon champion explained that she tried to drop the duo of Hassan and Tigst Assefa but her efforts proved futile going into the final stages of the gruelling marathon.

The two-time Olympic 5000m silver medallist explained that she knew that with 800m to go, she knew that Hassan would take the win. She noted that coming from bronze wins in the 5000m and 10,000m, she had the speed that would outsmart herself and Assefa.

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“Yes, I did it a couple of times because I knew if we came closer like with 800m to go, Sifan was there and she was good so we tried our best to push the pace but you know she was there and there was no way we could break her,” Obiri said.

“In the end, I knew she would carry the day because of her sprint finish. She has done so well in the 5000m, 10,000m and 1500m and so she was capable of winning in a sprint finish,” she added.

Obiri was in awe of Hassan’s exploits on the Olympic stage. The Dutchwoman won the marathon in an Olympic record time of 2:22:55. Assefa and Obiri finished second and third in respective times of 2:22:58 and 2:23:10.

The former world 10,000m silver medallist explained that Hassan is a source of inspiration to many athletes out there looking to make a name for themselves.

“She is so amazing, doing track and the marathon. So many people can’t do that but Sifan has shown the world that she can do that,” she said.

“People thought it was impossible for her but she has done it and it’s a big up to her, she has inspired so many athletes who work hard towards achieving such goals.”