Historic Gender Parity at Paris Olympics as Women Excel

PARIS — Sifan Hassan made history at the 2024 Olympics by becoming the first athlete in 40 years to compete in and win medals in the 5,000m, 10,000m, and marathon events. The 31-year-old Dutch runner clinched gold in the marathon with a record time of 2:22:55, despite expressing doubts throughout the race about her decision to participate in all three events. "Every moment in the race I was regretting that I ran the 5,000m and 10,000m," she admitted, reflecting on the physical toll of her ambitious schedule. Hassan's journey to Olympic glory began over a decade ago when she arrived in the Netherlands as a young asylum seeker from Ethiopia. Her coach, Peeters, recalled the challenges she faced as a teenager, emphasizing the club's role in supporting her both on and off the track. "We kept her safe, picked her up by car to go to training," he said, highlighting the importance of community in her development as an athlete. The Paris Games have also seen significant achievements from Latino athletes, with Marileidy Paulino making history as the first Dominican woman to win Olympic gold in the 400m. Other notable performances included Diana Taurasi's sixth gold medal in basketball and Brazil leading Latin American countries in medal counts. As the Games unfold, the atmosphere in Paris has been vibrant, with fans celebrating the return of the Olympics post-COVID. The event has not only showcased athletic prowess but also marked a historic moment for gender equality, achieving equal representation for male and female competitors for the first time.