'She Needs to Stop' - Paula Radcliffe Reminisces Sifan Hassan Struggles During London Marathon Debut
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Former world marathon record holder Paula Radcliffe is not one to mince her words.
Radcliffe, who recently received the Six Star Medal for completing all six of the World Marathon Majors after finishing the Boston Marathon on April 21, revealed how Sifan Hassan found it tough competing in her marathon debut in London in 2023.
The 32-year-old Hassan, who was born in Adama, Ethiopia, struggled during the initial stages of the marathon, prompting Radcliffe to advise the Dutch woman to stop trying and quit the marathon.
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Sifan told Olympics.com: “She needs to stop, and somebody needs to give her advice to step off and stop trying to run on."
Paula Radcliffe was the BBC commentator while watching Sifan Hassan initially struggle at the London Marathon in 2023.
"She may not know what to do in a marathon,” Radcliffe added.
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How Sifan Hassan silenced critics
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Radcliffe, a three-time winner in London over the 26.2 mile distance, was surprised to see the Olympic marathon champion finally defy the odds to reign supreme in London.
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Despite stopping repeatedly to stretch a hip muscle, swerving in front of a race motorbike to get a water bottle, and offering a drink to her rivals, Hassan was a class act.
She won in a course record of 2:28:33. Six months later, Hassan repeated the feat with a win at the Chicago Marathon.
Hassan has a history of achieving the impossible, all with a smile on her face and a humorous quip.
Sifan Hassan finishes third in the 2025 London Marathon, although she admitted she's in good shape. “I'm in good shape, but I think I need some competition,” she said after running 2:19:00.
Last year at the Paris Olympics, Hassan pulled off one of the greatest performances never seen at an Olympic Games.