'If you choose not to believe it, then so be it': 'Devastated' Aussie marathon runner Sinead Diver speaks out after early DNF
PARIS: Australian distance runner Sinead Diver, who on Sunday pulled out from the women's marathon 1.2 kilometres into the race, says she's "absolutely devastated" she didn't finish and denies there was any reason to give up her place for reserve runner Lisa Weightman during what was an injury-hampered lead-up.
Diver took to social media on Monday to comment amid what she described as "vitriol", after her withdrawal reignited the women's marathon selection controversy that rocked Athletics Australia (AA) in May.
Following Diver's withdrawal, questions have been asked by many people, including Nine commentators Tamsyn Manou, David Culbert and Gerard Whateley, why AA hadn't at least flown Weightman to Paris amid Diver's difficult lead-up, ensuring the team had insurance in the event of any of the three runners not being fit to compete.
READ MORE: 'Put it in the Louvre': 'Raygun' returns for last dance
READ MORE: Both teams booed in bizarre last Paris medal match
READ MORE: Paris, it's been a ride: Highs, lows and everything in between
Weightman in May appealed her non-selection but ultimately didn't get her way, as Diver, Genevieve Gregson and Jessica Stenson were locked in for the Paris Games.
Weightman told Wide World of Sports on Sunday that her camp had enquired with AA on July 23 regarding the physical condition of Diver.
Sinead Diver withdrawing from the women's marathon in Paris. Nine
"I'm absolutely devastated to have had to DNF [did not finish] at my second Olympic Games," Diver wrote on social media on Monday.
"I was dealing with a plantar issue in the lead-in to this race. It was manageable and I was training, fit and ready to race. That had nothing to do with why I pulled out.
"In the warm-up, my quads started to spasm without any warning. I hoped it would resolve as I started running but it didn't and they seized up within the first km to the point that I couldn't bend my knees. I don't fully understand what's caused this."
The 47-year-old described the lead-in to her race as "one of the most challenging times of my life".
"The vitriol online has had a significant impact on my mental health and I have no doubt that has played a part in my body breaking down in this way," Diver added.
"The culmination of stress over the last few weeks has finally taken its toll."
The Irish-born Australian wrote that she was aware of some of the "negative commentary" from during and after the race, but had decided she was "not going to listen".
Lisa Weightman running at the world athletics titles in Budapest last year. Sam Mellish/Getty Images
Diver's coach, Nic Bideau, hit back at suggestions her withdrawal was related to her injury-hampered lead-up.
"And what would any of them know about it?" Bideau said of Manou, Culbert and Whateley when contacted by Wide World of Sports.
"The problem that caused Sinead to stop arose during her warm-up. Barring that she was ready to run a marathon.
"That is all I have to say."
Diver declared: "This is what happened. If you choose not to believe it, then so be it".
Australia's top male marathon runner, Brett Robinson, withdrew two weeks prior due to injury and called Andy Buchanan, who had also qualified to run, to tell him he could have his place. On Saturday, Buchanan enjoyed the experience of a lifetime on his Olympic debut.
Sinead Diver in action at Tokyo 2020. Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
"Thank you to everyone else who has shown kindness and empathy and sent messages of support to acknowledge that we are all human and sometimes things happen that are out of our control, no matter how hard we try," Diver wrote.
An Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) spokesperson said on Sunday that Diver withdrew "after experiencing bilateral cramping in both quadriceps at Paris 2024".
"She is devastated and being supported by team officials and medical staff," the AOC spokesperson said.
"Despite managing plantar fasciitis at times this year, there was no physical reason for Sinead to not compete today."
AA was contacted for comment but said it couldn't, citing that Diver was with the AOC's team. Later in the day, AA shared the AOC's statement on social media.
Stenson finished 13th in the marathon in a time of 2:26:45, while Gregson finished 24th in 2:29:56.
Gold was taken out by Ethiopian-born Dutchwoman Sifan Hassan who, remarkably, had already won bronze medals in the 5000m and 10,000m at the Paris Games.
