One down, two to go - Hassan kicks off treble bid with 5,000m gold

TOKYO: Netherlands' Sifan Hassan unleashed her sizzling pace in the final lap to win the women's 5,000 metres gold medal on Monday and kick off her bid for an unprecedented Olympic treble.

The Ethiopian-born middle-distance runner has confirmed that she will add the 1,500 metres event to her 5,000m and 10,000m runs at Tokyo's Olympic Stadium. The 28-year-old Hassan is the reigning world champion in the 1,500 and 10,000. Her dream looked under threat during Monday's morning session when she fell in her 1,500m heat at the start of the final lap.