Sifan Hassan, the Olympic marathon champion, has withdrawn from the TCS London Marathon 2026 due to an Achilles injury sustained during a treadmill training incident. The 33-year-old Ethiopian runner, who holds Olympic golds in the 5,000m, 10,000m, and marathon, cited long-term health concerns after the injury worsened during preparation. Hassan, a three-time Abbott World Marathon Major competitor, emphasized prioritizing recovery over competing at full capacity.

Her absence leaves a void in the elite women’s field, where Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa and Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei are now frontrunners. Hassan’s decision underscores the physical toll of elite marathon racing, as she aims to return stronger for future events. London Marathon organizers confirmed her withdrawal, highlighting the race’s demanding standards. Hassan’s Olympic record of 2:22:55 in Tokyo remains a benchmark, but her injury serves as a reminder of the risks in high-level athletics.