Officials explain Sinead Diver’s sudden stop amid Olympic marathon controversy

The drama surrounding Australia’s female marathon squad took a fresh turn after a runner suddenly quit one kilometre into the race.

Australian marathon runner Sinead Diver pulls out of the marathon.

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has released a statement after national record holder Sinead Diver pulled out of Sunday’s marathon just 1.2km after the start.

Australia had three competitors in the event with Diver, Genevieve Gregson and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Jess Stenson running in the green and gold.

But just a kilometre in, Diver was distressed as she suddenly stopped and walked to the side of the road, leaning against a barrier and shaking her leg before exiting the course.

It appeared to onlookers Diver may have opted to start the race despite carrying an issue, in a moment sure to reignite controversy over this Australian marathon team.

Australian marathon runner Sinead Diver pulls out of the marathon.

But the AOC clarified the situation surrounding the 47-year-old veteran, who was the oldest runner in the field.

“Sinead Diver withdrew from the marathon after experiencing bilateral cramping in both quadriceps at Paris 2024,” the 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 marathon team was one of the big dramas before the Olympics, with six Aussies going under the qualifying time, including Lisa Weightman.

A four-time Olympian and two-time Commonwealth Games medallist, Weightman had the third fastest time in the qualification period.

The non-selection of Lisa Weightman (left) behind compatriots like Jess Trengove (right) was a huge pre-Games story. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

Weightman’s non-selection for Paris led to an enormous spat, with the 45-year-old devastated at missing out and appealing the decision all the way up to the National Sports Tribunal.

But it fell on deaf ears and Australian Olympic great Sally Pearson weighed into the drama in an exclusive column for news.com.au when the situation blew up back in May.

Pearson wrote: “I’m stoked for all three of them (that earned selection). Unfortunately, their selection has come at a price.

“It’s a very grey area, but in black-and-white terms it’s simple to say Weightman qualified with the third quickest time and did everything she could to earn a spot on the plane to France.

“Her time of 2:23:15 was only behind Gregson’s 2:23:08 and Diver’s 2:21:34, but ahead of Izzi Batt-Doyle (2:23:27), Eloise Wellings (2:25:47) and critically Stenson (2:24:01).

“I’m disappointed with the national selection panel, but I’m more shocked at the integrity of Athletics Australia and how this has become a total farce.”

Happier times for Diver, alongside Genevieve Gregson and Jessica Stenson after their Olympic selection. Picture: David Caird

Early in Sunday’s race, Diver joined American Fiona O’Keeffe, who won the US Olympic marathon trial this year, in pulling out shortly after it began.

“We had Sinead Diver who was struggling and Fiona O’Keeffe. Diver and O’Keeffe are now official registered DNF (did not finish),” the commentator said.

“We’ve lost the Australian, the oldest entrant in the athletics at these Olympics at 47, who had been really good in recent years and ran really well in Tokyo (finishing 10th), but was obviously struggling.

“There will be others, it’s that sort of course.”

Stenson eventually finished best of the Aussie contingent on Sunday in 13th, with Gregson crossing the line 24th.

The Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan won the marathon gold, somehow having the legs to beat the hot field and add to her bronze medals from both the 5000m and 10,000m events in Paris.