Reigning Women’s World Athlete of the Year Sifan Hassan, has donated her Paris 2024 Olympic marathon-winning singlet and bib to the Museum of World Athletics (MOWA).
The gesture comes as Hassan prepares to return to London, the city where she made a stunning marathon debut in 2023.
On August 11, 2024, Hassan secured gold medal of the Paris Olympics in a record time of 2:22:55. Dutch star’s victory sealed a medal treble after earlier 5000m and 10,000m bronze wins.
Hassan donated her race gear, inspired by Fanny Blankers-Koen, the Dutch sprinter who won four golds at the 1948 Olympics.
“During the World Athletics Awards weekend in Monaco, I had the chance to visit the World Athletics offices and see the amazing memories from the 1948 Olympics that belonged to Fanny Blankers-Koen,” Hassan shared in a report by World Athletics.
“It was so inspiring to see her history up close. Thrilled my Paris 2024 marathon singlet will join Fanny’s London Games items in the museum—honored!”
Her singlet will inspire young athletes at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships this year.
“I hope it will inspire young girls everywhere to believe in themselves, start playing sports, and chase their dreams—even if they seem impossible,” Hassan added.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe hailed Hassan’s achievements, drawing parallels between her and some of the sport’s greatest icons.
“With an extraordinary range which has seen Hassan win global golds from 1500m to the marathon, she is unquestionably already one of the sport’s greats,” Coe stated.
“Hassan’s three medals in Paris reminded the world of another flying Dutchwoman, Fanny Blankers-Koen, whose four golds in 1948 made her the icon of those Games.”
Coe also noted the historic significance of Hassan’s accomplishments, comparing her to the legendary Emil Zátopek.
“Hassan has, across two Olympics, amassed six medals. Three of those—her titles at 5000m, 10,000m, and marathon—are a triple which is unmatched in the history of women’s sport.”
Hassan’s victory in Paris was a testament to her resilience. She ran the marathon 37 hours after the 10,000m final and six days after winning 5000m bronze. The Olympic marathon’s steep 428m climb and 13.5% gradient at 29km was brutal, especially for weary runners.
“I was regretting that I had run the 5000m and the 10,000m,” Hassan admitted afterward. “Every step of the way I was thinking, ‘Why did I do that? What is wrong with me?’”
Hassan, like her dramatic London marathon comeback, overcoming a 28-second deficit, refused to surrender. Dropped by the lead pack on the steepest climb, she clawed her way back into contention.
Hassan beat world-record holder Assefa in a thrilling sprint, captured in an iconic World Athletics photo.
Hassan’s victory not only set an Olympic record but also evoked memories of Zátopek’s 1952 marathon triumph (2:23:03). Her three-event medal win at one Games rivals Czech legends, cementing her among athletics’ greats.
“I was scared of this race,” Hassan confessed after the finish. “I thought they would break me. When I finished, I was thinking, ‘I am the Olympic champion. How is this possible?’”
