Sifan Hassan is an Ethiopian-Dutch middle-distance and long-distance runner strongly dominant in marathon races.
She secured a gold medal under her name in the Women’s Marathon and won bronze medals in the 5000m and 10,000m events at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Highlights
- Sifan Hassan is a long—and middle-distance runner. For the Netherlands, she won the gold medal in the Women’s Marathon at the Paris Olympics 2024.
- The athlete was born in Ethiopia and belongs to the Oromo ethnic group.
- Her grandmother and mother raised Sifan on a farm in Ethiopia. Later, she was relocated to the Netherlands.
The athlete started her career in 2011 with an Eindhoven half marathon, which she won with a time of 77:10 minutes.
As of 2024, Hassan has held the world record for the one-hour run since 2020. She also holds six European records for 1500m, 3000 m, 5000m, 1000m, half marathon, and full marathon.
Sifan Hassan Was Raised By Her Grandmother And Mother In Ethiopia
The Olympic athlete was born in Adama, Oromia, Ethiopia, as the only child of her mother, Mrs. Hasan, and father, Mr. Hassan.
Sifan was raised by her mother and grandmother and nurtured on a farm throughout childhood.
Sifan’s parental dynamism is distinctive. The runner’s parents weren’t divorced; they remained married but lived on separate farms.
Thus, the athlete often mentions that she has a fuzzy memory of spending time with her father.
Sifan Hassan came from the Minesa district of the Arsi Zone in Oromia, which has a large Oromo population. Thus, the Olympic gold medalist also belongs to the Oromo ethnic group within Ethiopia.
In 2008, at 15, Hassan left her birth country as a refugee and arrived in the Netherlands.
Her mother put her on the plane to the Netherlands as a refugee because she wanted her daughter Hassan to succeed.
The athlete often mentions in the interview that her mother initiated the relocation to the Dutch country for better opportunities.
Moreover, it was like a traumatic incident that prompted Mrs. Hassan to send Sifan to the Netherlands. However, the athlete often avoids uncovering the story.
In several interviews regarding her moving from Ethiopia to the Netherlands, Sifan Hassan states,
I have to watch out for that,” she recalled. “One day I’m happy and the next day less. That’s the nice thing about life. If everything is perfect, it would be boring.
Sifan Hassan
In 2013, Hasan gained Dutch citizenship. This year was a breakthrough in the athlete’s career.
Now, the international champion competed for her adoptive country, withstanding the culture and ethnic values of her birth country.
Additional Information
- As of 2024, Sifan Hassan’s estimated net worth is $2 million. Her earnings include prize money, national team salaries, and endorsements.
- Hassan has signed sponsorship contracts with Nike, Hublot, and Adidas.
- Sifan Hassan follows the Islam religion. She received her gold medal in the Olympics wearing a hijab.
