Sifan Hassan, the reigning Olympic marathon champion, has withdrawn from the 2026 TCS London Marathon on April 26 due to an Achilles injury sustained during a treadmill training session six weeks ago. The Dutch athlete initially hoped the injury was minor and would settle in time for the race, but as training intensified, it became clear that she could not prepare at the level required to compete.
"I am disappointed because this race means so much to me, but right now my Achilles is holding me back, and I'm not ready to be at my best," Hassan wrote on Instagram. The injury occurred during what has been described as a "treadmill incident" — the specifics of which have not been publicly detailed — and while she continued to train through the initial discomfort, the Achilles failed to respond to the accelerated rehabilitation timeline that London's race date demanded.
Hassan's absence significantly reshapes the women's race dynamics. The Dutch star, who won London in 2023 and claimed Olympic marathon gold in Paris, was expected to be among the leading contenders alongside world record holder Tigst Assefa and Olympic silver medallist Peres Jepchirchir. Her withdrawal removes one of the three headline names from the women's field, though the remaining cast — which still includes six of the world's top 12 female marathoners — ensures the race retains its status as the deepest women's marathon of the spring season.
The decision to prioritise long-term health over short-term competition is understandable given Hassan's punishing 2025 schedule, which included three World Marathon Majors — London, Sydney, and New York. That workload, combined with her track commitments, placed extraordinary demands on a body that is now 33 years old. Hassan's focus will shift to recovery and preparation for the World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest in September, where she could pursue an unprecedented marathon-track double on the global stage.