Sifan Hassan
Instead of celebrating her historic 10,000 and 1,500 double – a one of its kind achievement - at the IAAF World Athletics Championships Doha 2019, Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan had to immediately defend herself of any wrongdoing.
“I am a clean athlete. I believe in clean sport,” Hassan repeatedly said in her different interviews with televisions, at the mixed zone and the post-event press conference, following her 1,500m victory at the Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday night.
The Dutchwoman, who won the 10,000m race on the opening day of the championships, displayed a devastating front running display to win 1,500m gold in 3:51.95, recording the biggest winning margin in World Championships history.
Reigning Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon of Kenya claimed a silver medal in 3:54.22 while bronze went to Ethiopia’s Gudaf Tsegay, who finished the race in 3:54.38. Hassan found herself in the centre of storm after her coach Alberto Salazar was handed a ban, following her 10,000m victory.
Salazar, the head coach of the Nike Oregon Project (NOP), was banned for four years by US Anti-Doping Agency for “orchestrating and facilitating prohibited doping conduct”. The American coach has denied any wrongdoing.
“I was very angry at what was being said. It was a very tough week and I had a lot of things in my head but I have a good manager and he really supported me. I show the world I am a clean athlete,” Hassan said.
“I don’t know why they have put the spotlight on me. I have been at the top since 2014, before I joined Nike academy, they can go check my background. What do they think, that the world anti-doping doesn’t test me?”
The 26-year old said she was inspired to join NOP after watching British great Mo Farah.
“Since I joined, I have seen nothing, they have never offered anything to me,” she said.
“I believe in clean sport, the group is clean, they work very hard, they have really amazing staff, especially the physio. They have good people.”
Talking about her achievement, she said: “This is amazing for me. This is such an honour. It was amazing when I crossed the line and I saw the time. I was so happy. I felt good after the 10k, so I decided to go for the 1500m. It looked like it was easy for me but it took so much hard work.”
Meanwhile, Ethiopia’s Tsegay, who was third fastest, was satisfied with her performance.
“I did my best, Hassan was at my expectation, she finished strong,” said Tsegay.
“I was just focusing on ending in a medal position. I did my best. The race was a good preparation for Tokyo, although I really wanted to do a better medal today. I want to get a good result for my country in Olympics,” she added.
“The organisation of these world championships is fine and the weather is good, it is nice,” said the Ethiopian star.
