Australian marathon runner Sinead Diver was forced to withdraw from the women’s marathon after heartbreaking scenes, reigniting debate over her participation in the Olympic Games.
Diver, the current Australian women’s marathon record holder, suddenly retired after just 1.5km of the gruelling 42km race on Sunday.
The 47-year-old appeared to panic minutes into the race and walked to the side of the road.
She leaned against a barrier before bending over and grabbing her shaking leg before dropping out of the race.
Medical staff rushed to help Diver, who was in tears after her early elimination, but was helped back to the starting line a short time later.
The emotional scenes left Australia’s hopes of winning a medal on the final day of the Games in tatters.
Three-time Australian Olympic athlete Tamsyn Manou (née Lewis) expressed her shock when commentating on the event on Nine.
“I feel for Sinead Diver in this situation because she has worked so hard and she has earned this place by being our fastest athlete, there is no doubt about that,” said Manou.
Australian athlete Sinead Diver (pictured) appeared to be in a state of distress minutes after the marathon began
According to an Australian Olympic Committee spokesperson, the diver was forced to withdraw after experiencing cramps in her thighs.
He also said that Diver had been struggling with plantar fasciitis, an inflammation of the tissue on the bottom of the foot, since before the Olympics.
“Sinead Diver has withdrawn from the marathon after suffering bilateral cramps in both quadriceps during the Paris Marathon 2024,” the spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.
‘She is devastated and is receiving support from team officials and medical staff.
‘Despite having suffered from plantar fasciitis at times this year, there was no physical reason for Sinead not to take part today’.
Their compatriots Jess Stenson and Genevieve Gregson completed the marathon in 13th and 24th place respectively.
The harrowing incident has rekindled a heated debate over the controversial selection process, which began long before the Olympics.
Despite Diver setting the fastest time and qualifying for the event, four-time Olympian Lisa Weightman was controversially disqualified and banned from competing in the Games.
Weightman posted the third fastest qualifying time and was in with a chance of making the team of three.
The selection committee ignored Weightman and instead chose Stenson, who qualified fourth.
“I am obviously disappointed with the decision as I fought hard and honestly to meet my qualifying time,” Weightman said in a statement at the time.
‘What I am most disappointed about is the internal systems and procedures of AA (Athletics Australia) that allowed this outcome to occur and which, if left unaddressed, will have a negative impact on future Australian athletes and their legitimate claims to represent Australia.’
An Australian Olympic Committee spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that Diver (pictured) suffered cramps in her thighs and was forced to withdraw
The incident led to a debate on radio between Manou and her co-commentator David Culbert during coverage of the marathon.
This came after Weightman won the Sunshine Coast half marathon in his home country of Australia earlier on Sunday in a blazing fast time of 70 minutes.
“The three athletes that have been chosen are all amazing athletes in their own right and I also feel for Sinead Diver in this situation because she has worked so hard and earned this place by being our fastest athlete, there is no doubt about that,” said Manou.
But she admitted she was “heartbroken” for Weightman, who finished 10th in Tokyo.
Culbert replied, “That’s true, Tamsyn, but you can’t take someone’s place to run a mile. I’m sorry.”
‘If you know that this is the case, if you know it well in advance… you are not chosen to start the race, but to try to finish it. That is the famous story of the marathon.
Culbert added that big questions still remain.
“We’ll just take his word for it,” he said.
“There are many indications that there is another story behind it, and the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle.”
‘Frankly, if we don’t get the right answers, there will be a question mark over this incredible campaign for Australia.
The harrowing incident has sparked a heated debate over Australia’s controversial selection process for selecting athletes for the gruelling event (pictured)
Manou added: ‘Whatever happens in this race… there will be a lot of talk about it in the running community back home.’
Australia had six women to choose from to send to Paris, all of whom qualified within the required time of 2 hours, 26 minutes and 50 seconds.
Among them were Diver, Gregson, Stenson, Weightman, Isobel Batt-Doyle and Eloise Wellings.
The selection requirements to participate in the event are not just based on who sets the fastest time.
Other variables include weather conditions, the difficulty of the race and the level of competition.