Hassan pulls out of London
Dutch Olympic champion Sifan Hassan has withdrawn from the upcoming London Marathon with an Achilles injury, a development organizers confirmed on March 23 — a clear setback for her Paris prep (thestar.com.my).
The TCS London Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, 26 April 2026, and organisers had included Hassan on their elite women's entry list unveiled in January. (londonmarathonevents.co.uk), londonmarathonevents.co.uk) Organisers' notes say the Achilles problem stemmed from an “unfortunate incident” on a treadmill about six weeks ago and that the injury, initially judged minor, blocked the progress of her marathon buildup as training intensified. (athleticsweekly.com), athleticsweekly.com, run247.com) Hassan’s marathon personal best is 2:13:44 — a time recorded on her way to victory in London 2023 that places her fourth on the women’s all‑time list. (marathonjournal.com), marathonjournal.com, athleticsweekly.com) She arrived into the 2026 season as the reigning Olympic marathon champion from Paris 2024 and had been due to contest a women’s field that included defending champion Tigst Assefa (PB 2:11:53) and world champion Peres Jepchirchir. (worldathletics.org), worldathletics.org, aboutrun.com) In a social post quoted by media outlets Hassan said the injury was “holding me back,” that she could not meet the training levels she expects of herself, and that she is prioritising recovery and long‑term health. (amileaminute.com), amileaminute.com, athleticsweekly.com) Her absence removes one of the projected fastest entrants from a women’s startlist that had featured four of the six fastest women in history and reshuffles the pre‑race favourites for the April 26 event. (marathonjournal.com), marathonjournal.com, runningmagazine.ca)
