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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Mysuru: Six, including three children, drown in Cauvery during urus gathering
Mysuru: Six people, including three children, drowned in the Cauvery river near Arkeshwara Temple in KR Nagar taluk of Mysuru district on Sunday.
The deceased have been identified as Fatima (42) from Udayagiri in Mysuru; Mohammed Yasin (23), an autorickshaw driver from SBR Layout in Bengaluru; his wife Neha Kausar (19) from the same area; Uzeir (5) from Udayagiri, Mysuru; Emma Aiman (13) from Kadugondanahalli, Bengaluru; and Afif Ahmed (13) from KR Nagar.
According to The New Indian Express, the victims had visited a nearby dargah. While playing in the river, one person slipped into the water, and others entered it in an attempt to rescue them, leading to multiple drownings.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed grief and announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for each of the victims’ families.
Mysuru Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladangi and KR Nagar police visited the spot and have begun an investigation.
