Sifan Hassan wears hijab on Olympic podium after record-breaking marathon win
Paris: Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands set an Olympic record in the women’s marathon, the final track and field event of the Paris Games, with a time of 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 55 seconds. Her performance, especially in the last 250 meters, secured her the gold medal.
However, her victory was marked by more than just her athletic prowess. Hassan accepted her gold medal during the final podium ceremony at the Olympics 2024 wearing a hijab. This act held particular significance as it occurred against the backdrop of France’s controversial decision to ban France's female athletes from wearing hijabs during the competition.
The sight of Hassan receiving her medal while wearing her hijab resonated globally, drawing widespread applause from fans.
Social media erupted with support, praising her courage in standing against the ban.
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Many users highlighted the contrast between her victory and France’s policy, calling it a powerful statement against the country’s stance on religious attire.
Criticism of France’s decision has been extensive, with the Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation and Amnesty International both arguing that the ban contradicts the Olympics' values of equality, inclusion, and respect for cultural diversity. Amnesty International had expressed these concerns just a week before the Games began.
Hassan’s triumph in the marathon caps a remarkable journey. A former Ethiopian asylum-seeker, she won three long-distance running medals in just six days, including a bronze in both the 10,000m and 5,000m events. Her achievement makes her the first athlete since Emil Zatopek in 1952 to medal in all three distance events at a single Games.
Hassan's legacy was already significant before these Games. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, she won gold in both the 5,000m and 10,000m, as well as a bronze in the 1,500m, making her the first athlete to medal in both middle and long-distance events at the same Olympics. With her latest victory, she also became the only woman to win gold medals in all three long distance running events: 5,000m, 10,000m, and the marathon.
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Terror threat: Security heightened near key religious, heritage sites in Delhi
New Delhi (PTI): Security was tightened across key religious and heritage sites in Delhi on Saturday, including areas around the Red Fort and parts of Chandni Chowk, following intelligence inputs suggesting a possible terror threat, an official said.
Security agencies issued an alert on a possible explosion threat near Red Fort, a major tourist destination and high-security zone, after Central intelligence agencies indicated that Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has allegedly kept prominent religious places in India on its target list.
Sources said specific inputs suggested that a temple in the Chandni Chowk area could be among the potential targets.
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While the intelligence inputs are being verified and assessed, security has been stepped up in and around sensitive religious places and crowded public areas, they added.
Intelligence agencies indicated that LeT could be attempting to carry out an Improvised Explosive Device (IED)-based attack. The alleged plan is reportedly linked to attempts by the terror group to avenge the February 6 blast at a mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan, sources said.
Central agencies and Delhi Police units are maintaining close coordination, and surveillance has been intensified through CCTV monitoring, vehicle checks and deployment of additional personnel at vulnerable points. Bomb disposal squads, dog squads and quick reaction teams have also been placed on standby at strategic locations, they added.
The alert comes in the backdrop of the deadly car explosion near the historic Red Fort on November 10, 2025, which killed at least 13 people and injured more than 20 others. The blast occurred when a car loaded with explosives detonated near Gate No 1 of the Red Fort metro station, igniting multiple vehicles nearby and causing panic in the densely populated area.
Security agencies have urged people to remain vigilant and immediately inform police or emergency services about any suspicious objects or activity. However, officials said there is no cause for panic and that the measures are precautionary in nature.
Further intelligence gathering and verification of inputs are underway, an official said.
