Netherlands' Sifan Hassan will defend her Tokyo Olympic 5 000 metres and 10 000 titles and take on the marathon in Paris, she said on Wednesday, dropping the 1 500 from her programme.
Hassan, who was initially registered to compete in all four events, sent shockwaves through the sport when she attempted an unprecedented Tokyo treble three years ago.
One of the toughest fighters on the track, Hassan fell during her opening 1 500 heat but came roaring back to advance and ultimately take bronze.
She later said that the stress of chasing the Tokyo agenda left her exhausted but was all smiles as she announced a gruelling new programme for Paris.
"I'm really curious what's going to happen," the Ethiopian-born runner told reporters.
Hassan will open her Olympic campaign with the 5 000 opening round on Friday with the final set for Monday.
With the 10 000 medal race scheduled for August 9, she will have less than 48 hours rest before attempting the marathon, making for an astonishingly tough assignment.
"For anyone else this would be insane!" retired US sprinting great Michael Johnson wrote on social media platform X. "I don't believe there's ever been an athlete who enjoys racing more than Sifan Hassan."
Hassan has already shown she can be a lethal force in the marathon, winning on her London debut in 2023 and later that year in Chicago with the second-fastest time ever.
"I don't think I could do that on the women's side ... the training is so gruelling for the marathon," said Josh Kerr, Britain's men's 1 500 world champion. "She's so well rounded."
The Paris marathon course is expected to be particularly challenging, with plenty of hills, but Hassan told reporters she would use nerves to her advantage as she steps out of her comfort zone.
"It's good sometimes when I'm nervous ... I do better," she said. "Maybe it's going to turn out beautiful.


