I know there is a lot of Hassan hate on these boards, but to me she is one of the top 5 distance runners ever, man or woman, and the sport is far greater for her presence. I don’t think there has ever been anybody with her range, nor her athletic courage. What man has been world class at the 800 and hold the 10000 world record? She takes on unheard of doubles and triples at major championships, and she ho hum about it. Basically, she’s rather die trying than to not try at all. My favorite moments of the last Olympics where when she was so pissed she lost the 1500, that’s when she KNEW she would win the 10000. The 10000 in Tokyo was epic and she looked like she was near death at the end. She broke down the goat 10000 runner Gidey, just shattered her into pieces. Hassan is a giant of the sport and the WC is lucky to have her. If she’s on the line, my money is on her to win.
Genuine question. Why does Sifan Hassan get more of a pass than Mo Farah? Imagine if Moh Farah won the 10000/1500 double. He wins the 10 in just sub 27, closing the last 1500 in under 3:32. He then turns around and beats Kiprop (EPO version), Manangoi, Centrowitz and Makhloufi, front running a 3:27. Thats the male equivalent of what Hassan did in Doha, let alone Tokyo.
In Doha her coach was Salazar, so the "she improved under a new coach" (Rowberry, leaving aside Rowberry's own relationship with Alberto) isn't relevant. Is it just because she ran 3:56 before Alberto so the 3:51 jump is more believable than Farah's?
This isn't meant to be a gotcha, or a screw Hassan post. It's just that if Farah did what Hassan did in 2019 this website would crash.
Hassan was already an accomplished athlete (world bronze medalist) before joining NOP, unlike Farah. It’s wild to go back now and watch Mo get flushed out the back of the WC 5k in 2009 knowing that he wins two years later. Quite the transformation and something a lot of people point to as being a clear sign of PED use. Of course, I’d bet most folks on LR think Hassan is doping as well, the difference being that she is actually liked by many of us in spite of that. She always makes races exciting is easy to root for compared to Farah, who really made an @ss of himself over the years (lying about Jama Aden, fighting at Geb’s hotel, etc.).
Before Sifan joined NOP, she had run 3:56, won world indoors, and got 4th at the olympics. And this is when she was training in the Netherlands with very little structure to her training, often training only once / day. Does this mean that she isn’t doping now? No. But she is without a doubt the most talented female athlete of all time.
Before Sifan joined NOP, she had run 3:56, won world indoors, and got 4th at the olympics. And this is when she was training in the Netherlands with very little structure to her training, often training only once / day. Does this mean that she isn’t doping now? No. But she is without a doubt the most talented female athlete of all time.
"very little structure" - what's the evidence for that? But we have seen that she was (the only Dutch) on the infamous IAAF list of suspected dopers before joining NOP.
Hassan is such a gamer. I've always been a fan, but it's forever cemented after what she did in the olympics last year. As gutsy and talented as humanly possible. The michael jordan of track and field.
One of the greats - even now, not at the end of her career, it is accurate to say that - but MOST CHARISMATIC? I am not aware of a pro of this caliber and profile that is less so.
I know some may consider Rupp in the same league, and to be honest, there was a long time I thought he was either mute or just simply had never spoken. By now, though, it is obvious he is reticent but is willing to have some presence in the media, and therefore, our minds. Still no insight into his personality, don't no if there is any sense of humor (I lean toward not), but he has spoken and been bumped from 0 to 1 on the charisma scale.
Who is/was more charismatic? Bolt has to be near the top: overflowing with personality. Loved the camera and microphone. Noah Lyles these days is always interesting. Does not run away from reporters nor fans. There are many others. Hey, I thought Jenny Simpson was entertaining. I watched her spend a good chunk of an hour signing autographs and taking pictures with her fans. Even Nick Symmonds blew our heroine out of the water and actually may still. He was willing to say hi and slapped hands with me, a random track watcher.
Who else scores higher on a charisma meter than Hassan? Anyone who has ever spoken.