Netherlands' Sifan Hassan won the women's 5,000 metres gold on Monday to kick off her bid for an unprecedented Olympic treble at the Tokyo Games.
Ethiopian-born Hassan, who is also participating in the 1,500m and 10,000m events in Tokyo, sped away from the leading pack in the last lap to take victory in 14:36.79.
The 28-year-old Hassan also won the 1,500m and 10,000m world championship titles in Doha in 2019.
Kenya's Hellen Obiri, a double world champion and Olympic silver medallist five years ago in Rio, took the silver ahead of Ethiopian Gudaf Tsegay, who clinched bronze.
Earlier in the day Hassan won her 1,500m heat despite falling in the final lap.
Hassan picked herself up after getting in a tangle with Kenyan runner Edinah Jebitok at the start of the last lap.
She sped around the outside of the pack on the back straight and ended up crossing the line first in 4 minutes, 5.17 seconds to qualify for the semi-finals.
Dutch runner Sifan Hassan recovered from a fall with 400 metres to go to win her heat of the women's 1500m. She is seeking a 1500m, 5000m and 10000m treble at #Tokyo2020 #Olympics #RTESport
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 2, 2021
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