Sifan Hassan explains withdrawing from London Marathon

Olympic champion Sifan Hassan, on Monday, 24 March, withdrew from next month's London Marathon after suffering an Achilles injury.

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The Dutch runner, who took gold over the distance at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, as per organizers picked up the injury while training on a treadmill six weeks ago.

The Ethiopian-born runner had expected to recover in time for another appearance in London, only to pull out eventually.

"To compete at that level, you need to be in perfect condition," said the 33-year-old, who won the London Marathon in 2023.

"After the incident, I hoped the injury would settle, but as training progressed, it became clear that I wasn't able to prepare at the level I expect from myself.

I have to listen to my body and focus on recovering properly."

Hassan, who won the 5000m and 10000m at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, had been expected to clash with Kenya's trio of Peres Jepchirchir, Hellen Obiri and Joyciline Jepkosgei on Sunday, 26 April.

Jepchirchir, the reigning world champion, arrives in London after beating defending champion Tigst Assefa at both the 2024 London Marathon and the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.

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Obiri, the Olympic bronze medallist from Paris, will be making her London Marathon debut after setting a New York Marathon course record of 2:19:51 late last year.

Jepkosgei, who finished between Assefa and Hassan in London last year, comes in fresh from winning the Valencia Marathon in a world-leading time of 2:14:00.

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