Sifan Hassan dazzles on the track in her season opener

Six weeks after winning the London Marathon, Sifan Hassan returned to action on the track in dazzling fashion at the FBK Games in Hengelo, Netherlands. On Saturday, Hassan won the women’s 10,000m, clocking the seventh-fastest time in history and a world lead of 29:37.80. She followed up her 10,000m win with a 3:58.12 in the women’s 1,500m, dropping the field over the final lap to win with ease.

Double trouble 😤

Less than 24 hours after her 10,000m world lead, @SifanHassan clocks 3:58.12 to win the women’s 1500m at the @FBKGamesHengelo#ContinentalTourGold pic.twitter.com/Vx2iaqwMU2

— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) June 4, 2023

In a post-race interview, Hassan told reporters that she entered the two races to see where she was at, two months out from the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest. Hassan confirmed after her historic win in London that she is now shifting her focus to the track for the world championships, but said she plans to race another marathon in the U.S. (Chicago or New York), possibly as soon as this fall. 

“I had the marathon just six weeks ago, and for me, the change was very hard,” said Hassan. “I am happy with my performance.” Her times for both distances are inside of the 2023 World Championships qualifying standards.

This isn’t the first time Hassan has demonstrated her extraordinary range over a short period. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Hassan attempted the distance trifecta, winning gold in the 5,000m and the 10,000m but falling short in the 1,500m, taking bronze behind Faith Kipyegon and Laura Muir.

Faith Kipyegon seizes 1,500m world record at Florence Diamond League

Hassan said before winning London that she didn’t change her training too much in preparation. Most runners take around three to six weeks to recover from a marathon, depending on the individual. That period for Hassan must’ve been shorter.

The 30-year-old Dutch athlete intends on doing the double at the 2023 world championships, but she hasn’t declared which of the three distance track events she will run. We will likely see Hassan next in the 5,000m at either the Paris Diamond League on June 9 or the Stockholm Diamond League on July 2.