Hassan Olympic distance treble bid off to smooth start

The 31-year-old Olympic champion is aiming to become the first woman in history to win 5,000m, 10,000m and marathon gold at the same Olympics, emulating Czech great Emil Zatopek, who achieved the men's triple at the 1952 Helsinki Games.

(L-R) Sifan Hassan, Kenya's Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi, Ethiopia's Gudaf Tsegay, Kenya's Faith Kipyegon and Italy's Nadia Battocletti cross the finish line in the women's 5000m heat. AFP PHOTO