Hollywood Ending for Marathon Runner Hassan at Paris Olympics

AFP/APP

Paris: Sifan Hassan concluded her remarkable Olympic journey with a stunning win in the women’s marathon, capturing gold on the sun-baked streets of Paris. 

The marathon victory capped a spectacular Games, with the final day featuring a nail-biting race for the top of the medals table between China and the United States.

Hassan, from the Netherlands, undertook an audacious challenge by competing in the 5,000m, 10,000m, and marathon events, with the latter two just two days apart. Her gamble paid off in a thrilling finish as she edged out Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa to win gold by a mere three seconds, setting an Olympic record with a time of 2 hours 22 minutes 55 seconds. Earlier in the week, she had won bronze in both the 5,000m and 10,000m.

“Every moment in the race I was regretting that I ran the 5,000m and 10,000m,” said the 31-year-old Hassan. “I was telling myself if I hadn’t done that, I would feel great today. From the beginning to the end, it was so hard. Every step of the way. I was thinking, ‘Why did I do that? What is wrong with me?'”

Hassan’s victory provided a dramatic conclusion to the athletics program, which had earlier seen US sprinter Noah Lyles win the 100m by an astonishing five thousandths of a second. The US track and field team has been dominant, and their women’s basketball team is aiming for gold in the final event of the Games to break the record for most consecutive golds in team sports.

In other sports, Hungary’s Michelle Gulyas won gold in modern pentathlon, while China’s Li Wenwen celebrated a weightlifting triumph by lifting her coach into the air. Dutch cyclist Harrie Lavreysen claimed his third gold of the Games in the men’s keirin, ending British dominance in the event.

New Zealand’s Ellesse Andrews and American Jennifer Valente also triumphed in cycling events.

As the Olympics come to a close, attention shifts to the upcoming closing ceremony at the Stade de France and the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. LA is set to leverage its Hollywood appeal with pop star Billie Eilish, rapper Snoop Dogg, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers among the performers.

Tom Cruise is rumored to close the ceremony with a dramatic stunt sequence, adding a Hollywood touch to the grand finale.