Tokyo 2020 - History-chasing 5000m champion Sifan Hassan ‘one of the key players’ at Olympics - Greg Rutherford

ByRichard Newman

Updated 02/08/2021 at 17:37 GMT

The Dutch athlete won what she hopes will be the first of three Olympic golds by producing a tactical masterclass to win the 5000m. She is also aiming to claim the 1500m and 10,000m titles - which has never been achieved before. London 2012 long jump champion Rutherford says what she is “remarkable”. You want it? We have it. Stream every Olympic event live on discovery+.

Sifan Hassan will be one of the “key players” at the Olympic Games as she chases a “remarkable” historic achievement at Tokyo 2020, according to Greg Rutherford.

The London 2012 long jump champion and Eurosport pundit was trackside to watch the Dutch runner win her first Olympic gold in the 5000m, timing her move perfectly to race clear of the rest of the field in the final lap.

Hassan is attempting to win an unprecedented treble of Olympic titles as she is also chasing the 1500m and 10,000m golds, which has never been achieved at the Games before.

Tokyo 2020

'My son can't take medal to school now' - Kilty after Team GB 4x100m team stripped of Olympic silver

18/02/2022 at 21:49

The 28-year-old was racing in the 5000m final after falling earlier in the day in the heats of the 1500m before coming through to win.

• Hassan one third of way towards historic Olympic treble with 5000m victory
• Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games: Schedule, key events, every medal and more

“She’s one of the key players in this entire Olympic Games,” said Rutherford.

You get very excited when the athletics starts in the programme and then we have somebody like Sifan going out there trying to do the most remarkable thing. It’s amazing to see, amazing that she’s just come away with her first gold medal.

“This morning, she took a tumble, she got back up and chased down the field in order to get through the 15, and that will take a bit more out of your legs, and obviously the fall itself is less than ideal.

“She’s bounced back, bounced around looking fine, it’s remarkable, utterly remarkable.”

Hassan is next in action in the semi-finals of the 1500m on Wednesday.

‘All the drama!’ – Hassan tripped at bell yet powers past rest of field to win

--

Watch every unmissable moment live from Tokyo 2020 across Eurosport, the Eurosport app and discovery+. Download the Eurosport app for iOS and Android now.

Tokyo 2020

Team GB stripped of Tokyo 2020 4x100m relay silver medal after Ujah loses doping case

18/02/2022 at 15:55

Tokyo 2020

Athletics already has the new Bolt - it’s time to appreciate Thompson-Herah

24/12/2021 at 14:04

Tokyo 2020

Thompson-Herah and Warholm named World Athletes of the Year

02/12/2021 at 09:48