Dutch runner Sifan Hassan was on track to an unprecedented Olympic treble after recovering from a fall in her 1,500-meter heat on Monday.

Hassan, the world champion in the 1,500m and 10,000m, tripped over Kenyan Edinah Jebitok in the final third of the qualifying race on Monday.

With 300 meters to go, Hassan was 11th but a surge of power pushed her to the front of the pack, crossing the line first in her heat in four minutes 5.17 seconds.

She will run a second race on Monday, taking part in the 5,000m final during the second session of the day.

The 1,500m semi-finals are on Wednesday, the final is Friday, and the 10,000m final the next day completes her daunting program in hot and humid Tokyo.

The 29-year-old is following in the footsteps of Finnish great Paavo Nurmi who won five gold medals at the 1924 Games, including 1,500m and 5,000m within a few hours.

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“For me, it is crucial to follow my heart. Doing that is far more important than gold medals.

“That keeps me motivated and it keeps me enjoying this beautiful sport,” she had said in a statement on Sunday.