Alright, track and field fans, the London Diamond League 2025 is shaping up to be an absolute spectacle, and we’re counting down the hours until the action kicks off. This eleventh stop of the Diamond League season is buzzing with excitement, promising epic showdowns that’ll have us on the edge of our seats. We’ve got Noah Lyles ready to blaze the sprints, Femke Bol primed to dominate the hurdles, and a stacked field of middle-distance runners gearing up for some serious battles.
The mile race, in particular, was set to be a nail-biter, with head-to-head clashes that could redefine the season. Imagine the electric atmosphere, can you feel the anticipation building already? But hold up, right when we thought the hype couldn’t get any bigger, the meet took a gut punch.
Well, one of the brightest stars dropped a bombshell on her Instagram handle, and it’s left us reeling. In a stunning turn of events, Olympic marathon champion Sifan Hassan has withdrawn from the London Diamond League 2025, delivering a major setback to one of the season’s most anticipated track events.
This is no ordinary pullout; Hassan, our beloved Dutch distance queen, is a fan favorite who’s rewritten the record books with her historic triple at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (5,000m, 10,000m, and marathon gold) and her jaw-dropping 2:13:44 win at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. Just recently, after her run at the London Marathon, fans were excited to see Hassan return. Her absence dims the spotlight on a race we were all hyped to see her conquer. What could’ve prompted such a big move?
The answer lies in her own words, shared candidly on Instagram. She posted, “I was really looking forward to racing at the @londonathleticsmeet, but I haven’t been feeling my best last week with my body not responding as well as I wanted. I love this meet and I feel really bad towards the organisers and my fans. But after talking with my team, we decided it’s smarter to skip it, stay focused and keep preparing for what’s next this season!” That raw honesty hits hard, her health’s taken priority, and you can sense the disappointment in every line. So, what does this mean for the London Diamond League moving forward?
With Hassan sidelined, the event loses a marquee name, but the show must go on. The clock’s ticking toward July 19. How will the organizers and remaining stars step up to fill this void?
For Sifan Hassan, marathon dreams take priority over the World Championships
Well, earlier, when the 2025 season was heating up, Dutch distance star Sifan Hassan had us dreaming big with her next moves. After her epic Paris 2024 Olympic haul, bronze in the 5,000m and 10,000m, plus that golden marathon finish, she’s been a name to watch. But now, a twist in the tale: Hassan, 32, is set to skip this year’s World Athletics Championships to laser-focus on the Sydney Marathon on August 31. Can you feel the shift in her game plan already?
This decision stings a bit for her loyal followers, especially since it marks the first time since 2013 she won’t don the Dutch colors at the championships, which kick off in Tokyo two weeks later. Her management team told nu.nl that the event isn’t currently on her radar, though she hasn’t completely ruled it out. That’s Hassan for you, unpredictable yet strategic.
Over five appearances, she’s racked up two golds, a silver, and three bronzes, with the 2019 Doha double (1,500m and 10,000m) standing as her crowning glory. That historic feat still gives us chills! So, what’s driving this bold choice to prioritize Sydney?
With her eyes on the marathon, Hassan is leaning into her long-distance prowess, possibly eyeing a record-breaking run. The championships might wait, but what’s next on her horizon after Sydney?
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