Dear Sifan, Poem by Sylvia Frances Chan

My Letter For Sifan Hassan, an Ode Poem

Dear Sifan,
this message is for you,
you were born in Ethiopia,
but in your 15th year,
you were put on a plane to the Netherlands,
since then you have been a refugee in our country,
after 5 years you got the dutch passport
and you have become therefore dutch,

one thing we know about you:
you love running,

since then you have won one medal after another,
one world champion after another European and Dutch champion, all Golden medals for you

you are to me:
The Queen of Athletics of the whole world,
of all of Europe and of the whole of the Netherlands,

you said in Tokyo: 'if I don't win, I'm very angry with myself' that was when you won the bronze in the 1500 meters (because your legs were hurting) after gold in the 5000 meters, but you have done that race too!

and on Saturday one day before the Closing Ceremony
in Tokyo 2020 you won GOLD again in the 10.000 meters,
never before has anyone won 3 medals in 1 Olympic Games,
YOU DID, you are blessed with a natural gift,
but you also have a huge will to practice hard,
and you know what you want.

One thing I have learned from you:
Everyone can win, but you must eagerly wish to WIN
YOU wanted to win three races in Olympic Tokyo 2020
and YOU DID IT,
my very appreciations highest for you,
wish you more Golden Medals in the future, dear Sifan!