The women's 5000 metres event at the 2020 Summer Olympics took place on 30 July and 2 August 2021 at the Japan National Stadium.

[2] Sifan Hassan had already announced her intention to attempt to win the 1500, 5000, and 10,000 metres triple at the Olympics.

Hellen Obiri, also of Kenya, was second in Rio and had won the 5000 metres at the 2019 World Championships Earlier in the day, during the qualifying heat for the 1500 metres, Hassan suffered a fall but was able to continue, winning her heat to qualify for the semi-finals.

The race started off slowly, with Elise Cranny taking an early lead as Hassan dropped to the back of the pack.

Wanting a faster pace, Ririka Hironaka ran around the pack and assumed the lead.

Then the Kenyan trio of Hellen Obiri, Agnes Jebet Tirop, and Lilian Kasait Rengeruk; the Ethiopian trio of Gudaf Tsegay, Senbere Teferi, and Ejgayehu Taye; and Kenyan-born Turkish athlete Yasemin Can moved forward.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the period was suspended from 6 April 2020 to 30 November 2020, with the end date extended to 29 June 2021.