Namibia’s marathon queen Helalia Johannes brought her Olympic Games’ journey to a close by finishing in 68th position in the gruelling women’s 42.168-kilometre marathon yesterday morning, clocking a time of 2:38:36 seconds. 

The marathon, which marked the end of the prestigious Games, was won by the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan in 2:22:55 seconds, thus setting an Olympic record. Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa secured second place with a time of 2:22:58 seconds, while the bronze medal was claimed by Kenya’s Hellen Obiri, who finished in 2:23:20 seconds.

Hassan’s remarkable performance in the marathon was just one highlight of her Olympic success. She also earned two bronze medals earlier in the Games, in the 5 000 metre and 10 000 metre races. In the men’s marathon on Saturday, Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola set a new Olympic record to capture the gold medal. Tola dominated the race, which unfolded on the sun-soaked streets from central Paris to Versailles, as Eliud Kipchoge’s quest for a third consecutive gold medal came to an unexpected end. 

The 22-year-old Tola delivered an exceptional solo performance, finishing in 2:06:26, 21 seconds ahead of Belgium’s Bashir Abdi, the bronze medallist from Tokyo, with Kenya’s Benson Kipruto taking the bronze.

Overall, Namibia was represented by four athletes at the Games. Cyclist Alex Miller was unable to finish his race after a crash in the men’s cross-country MTB event. Vera Looser completed the women’s individual road race, also finishing in 68th position. Meanwhile, Phillip Seidler did not finish the men’s 10km swim. -lmupetami@nepc.com.na .