Sifan Hassan, photo by PhotoRun.net
Hassan to work with Salazar
PORTLAND (USA): After splitting with her coach Honore Hoedt at the end of the summer season, Sifan Hassan has announced that her new coach is Alberto Salazar, informs NOS. “I am very grateful for Honore but he was not always one hundred percent focused on me. Sometimes he had other commitments,” she said. “They are very enthusiastic, especially because they see how much Sifan can improve I think it is the most professional training group in the world,” said Hassan’s agent Jos Hermens. Hassan hasn’t decided if she will defend her 1500m title at the European Indoor Championships in Belgrade next March.
RunBlogRun opines: Sifan Hassan has had some reality put her way. In 2015, she battled Genzebe Dibaba in both WR race at Monaco GP and in Beijing. In 2016, she was run down by Jenny Simpson for the bronze after loosing to Faith Kipyegon and Genzebe Dibaba in the silver and gold battle. Hassan sees a need to change her approach and her training. Alberto Salazar teaches athletes to focus on the small things that make a difference. Salazar also teaches athletes how to race and race well. We shall see how a year in Portland affects Sifan Hassan.