This Olympian Tripped During Race And Still Managed To Bag Gold Medal

Another day, another inspiring story. Sifan Hassan, an Olympic Gold medalist tripped at the beginning of the race but did not give up and emerged victoriously.

During the 1,500-meter race at the Tokyo Olympics, Sifan Hassan representing the Netherlands fell and tripped. Kenya’s Edinah Jebitok had fallen in front of Hassan which made her fall as well. She regained herself and got up to finish the race. Hassan accelerated from that point and made it to the endpoint. She finished first and earned a Gold Medal for her country.

Hassan's victory caught many netizens by surprise and appreciation began pouring for the Netherlands runner. Social media users also wrote, "Don't give up. Amazing comeback Sifani Hassan."

Another person wrote, "Sifan Hassan is....ready. I've never seen anything as impressive as that in a 1500 heat. Falls with 380 to go, rolls loses 25-30 metres, gets up, still wins."

Some users also called her an inspiration and wrote, "@SifanHassan you are a living inspiration of not giving up … well-deserved gold and a global applaud and recognition #Olympics2020 #resilience #legend #Netherlands"

The World Athletics Organisation tweeted their congratulations for the runner along with other netizens.

My heart skipped two beats literally. Well done Sifan. I love the fight between Sifan and Kipyegon.

— Irene Kamso (@Irenekamso) August 2, 2021

The big Monday on the track for Hassan is just part of a historic 24,500m-in-eight-days schedule she's taking on.

"It keeps me enjoying this beautiful sport."

Read more about her #Tokyo2020 journey: https://t.co/f8haVjWLXG

— Olympics (@Olympics) August 2, 2021

Who is Sifan Hassan?

• Sifan Hassan is a Dutch middle and long-distance runner of Ethiopian origin representing the Netherlands. She is the world record holder.
• Hassan has won two gold medals at the 2019 World Championships. And now has a Gold in the Tokyo Olympics.
• She left the country as a refugee as she was born Adama in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia.
• She opened a 5-metre gap over the next 100 metres in the Herculis meet in Fontvieille, Monaco.
• She was coached by Alberto Salazar at the Nike Oregon Project. One of her coaches Salazar was facing a ban due to doping violations dating from before he started coaching Hassan.
• Sifan Hassan is the first non-Kenyan or Ethiopian athlete to win the event since Gabriela Szabo.