Paris Olympic marathon champion Sifan Hassan commits to run in Sydney Marathon
Paris Olympic marathon champion Sifan Hassan has committed to run in the Sydney Marathon in August after it was elevated to the seventh World Marathon Major, joining races in New York, London and Tokyo.
Hassan, who won gold in Paris less than two days after claiming bronze in the 10,000m and six days after winning bronze in the 5000, will be joined by fellow legend Eliud Kipchoge in the event's first race as a World Marathon Major.
One of the fastest women in marathon history, Dutch star Hassan could be on track to smash the Sydney Marathon record of 2:21:41 given her personal best is eight minutes faster at 2:13:44.
Australian Athletics president and former Australian Olympian Jane Fleming said Hassan's appearance would be a 'a truly special moment for our sporting community'.
'To see an athlete of her calibre, a global champion and cultural role model, racing on Australian soil is something we don't take for granted,' Fleming said.
'It's an opportunity to inspire the next generation, particularly young women, to dream big and chase the impossible.'
Hassan, who was born in Ethiopia and resettled in the Netherlands as a refugee and is now the third fastest woman in marathon history, is excited to come to Australia.
'Running has given me so much, not just as an athlete but as a person,' she said.
'It has been a way to connect with people, to tell my story, and to show that no matter where you come from, you can achieve something meaningful.
'I'm honoured to bring that message to Sydney and to be part of an event that celebrates strength, community and possibility.'
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