Hassan makes his Olympic Games debut – gets water from Almgren

Swedish record and Olympic Games spot – but the career's first marathon was not flawless. It will come in Paris. I hope to get out everything I have and take a top placement, says Suldan Hassan ahead of Saturday's race.

» Updated:

» Published:

Hassan makes his Olympic Games debut – gets water from Almgren
Photo: Jessica Gow / TT

Share this article

He started with athletics eleven years ago, but had never run a marathon until February this year.

In Spanish Sevilla, Suldan Hassan found his distance.

The 26-year-old, who previously focused on 5,000 meters, set a Swedish record with a time of 2.07.36 and qualified for the OS in Paris – despite missing drinking at six of the eight hydration stations.

Did not drink water

I'm half-blind and the tables were on the right side. You had to choose one of the different bottles when you ran at a pretty high tempo, he says.

I got it at the first two stations and thought then that it was under control, but it was the last time I saw any fluid.

In France, the long-distance runner has an eye on where the hydration is and aims to get a perfect race.

There was a lot that didn't go right then, but I hope to do it better now.

Now he's also getting help.

Injured runner Andreas Almgren, who withdrew from 5,000 meters at Stade de France this week, is one of the pacers along the track.

It seems to be in order with him, so he'll probably give me fluids, says Hassan.

"Perform"

Saturday's marathon, which stretches from central Paris to Versailles and back, will be the Swede's second.

And despite being inexperienced, he's aiming high.

I came here to perform. It may not be entirely ideal, but I can still do it well, he says.

At the same time, he knows that time is on his side, that it's not really now that he should be at his best.

Few start with marathon as early as Suldan Hassan, and often the best times come late in their careers.

I think I have at least ten years left on the distance and can develop, he says.

To get to run now, against two of the best runners of all time, Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) and Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia), feels big, and I'd like to be there and fight for placings.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Stockholm Football Clubs Urge Police to Drop Mask Ban Requirement

Stockholm Football Clubs Urge Police to Drop Mask Ban Requirement

Allsvenskan Clubs to Benefit from Expanded Fifa Billion Fund

Allsvenskan Clubs to Benefit from Expanded Fifa Billion Fund

Kerr Secures High Jump Gold in Thrilling World Championship Duel

Kerr Secures High Jump Gold in Thrilling World Championship Duel

Alexander Isak Set for Potential Liverpool Debut Against Atlético Madrid

Alexander Isak Set for Potential Liverpool Debut Against Atlético Madrid

Jakob Ingebrigtsen May Skip 5,000 Meters at World Championships

Jakob Ingebrigtsen May Skip 5,000 Meters at World Championships

SHL Halts Red Bull Overtime Concept Amid Criticism

SHL Halts Red Bull Overtime Concept Amid Criticism

Ethan Katzberg's 84.70m Hammer Throw Sets Two-Decade Record

Ethan Katzberg's 84.70m Hammer Throw Sets Two-Decade Record

Maja Åskag Reaches Two Finals at Tokyo World Championship

Maja Åskag Reaches Two Finals at Tokyo World Championship

World Championship Qualifier Serbia vs Albania Moved to Leskovac for Safety

World Championship Qualifier Serbia vs Albania Moved to Leskovac for Safety

Andreas Kramer Faces Challenges at World Championship 800m Event

Andreas Kramer Faces Challenges at World Championship 800m Event

Armand Duplantis Celebrates World Record in Tokyo After Championship Win

Armand Duplantis Celebrates World Record in Tokyo After Championship Win

Norway Donates Match Profits Against Israel to Doctors Without Borders

Norway Donates Match Profits Against Israel to Doctors Without Borders

Engla Nilsson Debuts at World Championship After European Bronze

Engla Nilsson Debuts at World Championship After European Bronze

Laura Dahlmeier's Body to Remain on Mountain After Accident

Laura Dahlmeier's Body to Remain on Mountain After Accident

Armand Duplantis Earns Big with World Championship Gold and Record

Armand Duplantis Earns Big with World Championship Gold and Record

Duplantis' Secret to Success: Special Spiked Shoes Boost Performance

Duplantis' Secret to Success: Special Spiked Shoes Boost Performance

Tom Brady Returns to Play Flag Football in Saudi Arabia 2026

Tom Brady Returns to Play Flag Football in Saudi Arabia 2026

Duplantis Celebrated Globally for Historic Pole Vault Achievement

Duplantis Celebrated Globally for Historic Pole Vault Achievement

Leidhammar's Goal Leads Norrköping to Victory Over Djurgården

Leidhammar's Goal Leads Norrköping to Victory Over Djurgården

Heintz Leads Göteborg to 2-1 Victory Over Häcken Despite Criticism

Heintz Leads Göteborg to 2-1 Victory Over Häcken Despite Criticism