Sifan Hassan, the reigning Olympic champion in the 5,000 meters, secured her spot in the final with a characteristic last-minute surge. She overtook seven runners in the home stretch to finish second, just a tenth of a second behind Kenya’s Faith Kipyegon. Kipyegon, who recently broke her own 1,500m world record, is aiming for a double gold in Paris, competing in both the 1,500m and 5,000m.
Hassan, known for her ambitious schedule, is competing in the 5,000m, 10,000m, and marathon at these Games. The 31-year-old Dutch runner, who made a stunning debut in the marathon last year with a victory in London, received a loud cheer from the crowd at the Stade de France. She started at the back of the pack, allowing Yuma Yamamoto of Japan to take the lead early on. With around two kilometers remaining, Hassan began her move, joining the leading group. In the final 200 meters, she shifted into high gear, powering around the bend to secure second place with a time of 14 minutes 57.65 seconds.
“I was super-nervous before the heat,” Hassan admitted to reporters, her face beaming with a mix of relief and laughter. When asked about her grueling Olympic schedule, she responded: “I like the 5,000m, the 10,000m and I think I’m still a bit too worried about the marathon.”
In the second heat, Beatrice Chebet of Kenya edged out Medina Eisa of Ethiopia to claim the top spot with a time of 15:00.73. Francine Niyomukunzi of Burundi stumbled in the final lap but recovered to finish fifth, securing her place in the final. Ejgayehu Taye of Ethiopia, the second-fastest runner over 5,000m this season, finished sixth. Fellow Ethiopian Gudaf Tsegay, who won bronze in Tokyo, took fifth with a season’s best time.
The top eight finishers in each heat advanced to the final, scheduled for Monday at 9:15 p.m. local time. Hassan’s performance and her ambitious schedule have made her a central figure in the Paris Games, leaving fans eager to witness her pursuit of a historic triple gold.
