Ethiopian-born Netherlands international Sifan Hassan revealed on Tuesday, September 6, that she may ditch track for marathon ahead of the upcoming 2024 Olympic Games to be held in Paris, France.
Speaking in Zurich, ahead of the 2022 Diamond League final, the 29-year-old disclosed that switching from track to marathon has always been in her plans.
“I am really planning to run a marathon, I don't know when it is, but I am thinking about it every night and day, whenever I run.
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“I was amazing in Tokyo. I lost a couple of races this year which gave me a boost. Actually, for me, winning does not motivate me, losing is what gives me a boost.
“As an athlete, I have to have a big goal and a very big challenge to go forward,” stated the double Olympic champion.
When asked whether she is planning to make her marathon debut at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Sifan replied, “Why not”.
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Hassan’s 5,000m and 10,000m arch-rival Hellen Obiri recently switched to marathon.
The Kenyan international announced during the 2022 World Athletics Championships staged in Eugene, United States that she will be making her full marathon debut in October.
Obiri and Hassan have been squaring it out for several years in the above disciplines at both the Diamond League legs and major international competitions.
At the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, Sifan defeated Obiri in both the 10,000m and 5,000m finals.
Should Obiri and Sifan line up together in the marathon event at the Paris Olympics, they will be joining other legendary female athletes such as Vivian Cheruiyot who successfully transitioned from track to marathon.
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