Editor’s note: One of the most popular athletes in our sport is Sifan Hassan. Sifan is from the Netherlands, having arrived in Eritrea with her family as a political refugee. Sifan began in the sport, racing a half-marathon. Sifan’s first title was the European cross-country when she was a U-20. I first saw Sifan in action in 2014, in Zurich at the European Athletics Indoor Championships. In cross-country, on the track (Tokyo 2021: Gold at 5,000m, and 10,000m, Bronze at 1,500 meters, and then, in Paris 2024, Bronze medals at the 5,000 meters, 10,000 meters, and gold in an amazingly tactical Olympic Marathon on a hellacious course, the course looked liked it was developed by an enthusiast of the late Marquis de Sade).
Sifan Hassan is a warrior. I have observed Sifan become totally annoyed when defeated by 6 seconds in the 1,500 meters at the 1500 WR in Monaco (2015). Her 1500m heat in Tokyo 2021, when she fell, showed me that Sifan was someone very special.
Her first marathon win in London was fantastic! Since then, Sifan has set European records (she holds the former WR at the mile and the WR in the hour run, plus ERs at 1,500m, mile, 3,000 meters, 5,000 meters, and 10,000 meters).
We wish Sifan Hassan a quick and full recovery! We love her racing and her interviews!
SIFAN HASSAN OUT OF 2026 TCS LONDON MARATHON |
Sifan Hassan (NED) has withdrawn from the 2026 TCS London Marathon on Sunday, 26 April. The reigning Olympic marathon champion and 2023 TCS London Marathon winner has been hampered by an Achilles injury, which has impacted her training. Hassan picked up the injury following an unfortunate incident while training on the treadmill six weeks ago. Initially, the injury was believed to be minor, and she continued to train, but as her preparations for the TCS London Marathon intensified, the Dutch athlete was unable to progress as planned.  After careful assessment, Hassan has now decided to withdraw from the 2026 TCS London Marathon to avoid aggravating the injury. After a demanding period of training and competition last year, which saw her run three Abbott World Marathon Majors – London, Sydney, and New York – she has opted to prioritise her recovery and long-term health. Hassan said, “This has been a very tough decision to make. I love racing the TCS London Marathon; it is where I won my first-ever marathon, and I have so many special memories there. But it is also the highest-quality marathon on the planet, and to compete at that level, you need to be in perfect condition. After the incident, I hoped the injury would heal, but as training progressed, it became clear I wasn’t able to prepare at the level I expected of myself. I have to listen to my body and focus on recovering properly. I look forward to returning to race in London again on plenty more occasions in the future.”  Budapest, Hungary August 19-27, 2023, photo by Kevin Morris There have also been notable withdrawals in the TCS London Marathon wheelchair fields. Susannah Scaroni, who won five of the Abbott World Marathon Major races last year and was second in London, will not race in this year’s event. Neither will her USA team-mate Daniel Romanchuk, the 2019 London Marathon champion, while Britain’s Nathan Maguire has also been forced to withdraw due to injury. 2026 TCS London Marathon elite fields (Updated: March 23) Elite Women
Elite Men
Elite women’s wheelchair
Elite men’s wheelchair
ENDS |
Notes to Editors About the TCS London Marathon
For more information, visit tcslondonmarathon.com. About Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
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photo by Kevin Morris
Want to learn more about Sifan Hassan? Here’s our RBR Interview (Questions) with Sifan Hassan, from RBR Archives:
