Officials Clarify Sinead Diver’s Unexpected Halt During Olympic Marathon Controversy

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has issued a statement following national record holder Sinead Diver’s unexpected withdrawal from Sunday’s Olympic marathon just 1.2 kilometers into the race.

Australia was represented by three athletes in the marathon: Diver, Genevieve Gregson, and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Jess Stenson, all donning the green and gold. However, just a short distance into the race, Diver showed signs of distress, stopping suddenly and walking to the side of the road. She leaned against a barrier and shook her leg before ultimately exiting the course.

Onlookers speculated that Diver might have been dealing with an underlying issue before the race, reigniting debates about the selection of the Australian marathon team.

The AOC quickly addressed the situation, clarifying the circumstances surrounding Diver, who, at 47, was the oldest competitor in the field.

“Sinead Diver withdrew from the marathon after experiencing bilateral cramping in both quadriceps at Paris 2024,” the AOC’s statement read. “She is devastated and being supported by team officials and medical staff. Despite managing plantar fasciitis at times this year, there was no physical reason for Sinead to not compete today.”

The selection of the Australian marathon team had been a point of contention leading up to the Olympics, with six athletes meeting the qualifying time, including Lisa Weightman, a four-time Olympian and two-time Commonwealth Games medallist. Weightman’s exclusion from the Paris team, despite having the third fastest qualifying time, led to a heated dispute and an appeal to the National Sports Tribunal, which ultimately upheld the original decision.

Australian Olympic legend Sally Pearson had weighed in on the controversy, expressing disappointment with the selection process and the decision to exclude Weightman.

As Sunday’s race unfolded, Diver’s withdrawal was noted alongside American Fiona O’Keeffe, who also pulled out early. Diver’s exit marked the end of her race at Paris 2024, and commentators acknowledged her struggles, highlighting her strong performance at the Tokyo Olympics where she finished 10th.

In the end, Stenson emerged as the top finisher among the Australian runners, securing 13th place, while Gregson finished 24th. The marathon gold was claimed by the Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan, who added to her remarkable Olympic campaign, having already won bronze in both the 5000m and 10,000m events in Paris.