Devastated Australian Sinead Diver has released a statement explaining why she withdrew from the Olympic marathon and hit back at the online abuse she copped.
Diver, who is the national record-holder, pulled the pin less than five minutes into Sunday’s gruelling race in Paris.
Distressing pictures showed Diver hunched over the temporary crowd barriers just after 1km.
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The 47-year-old was dealing with a plantar issue in the lead-up to the race, but withdrew because of an unexplained quad spasm in the warm-up.
“I’m absolutely devastated to have had to DNF at my second Olympic Games. 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,” she wrote on Instagram.
“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.”
In a sad fallout, Diver said the “online vitriol” she copped in the lead-up to the race contributed to her body breaking down.
There were questions surrounding her fitness heading into the marathon and whether she should be replaced by an emergency runner.
“The lead in to this race has been 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. The culmination of stress over the last few weeks has finally taken its toll,” she continued.
“I’m aware of some of the negative commentary during & since the race but this time I’m not going to listen. This is what happened. If you choose not to believe it, then so be it.
“Thank you to everyone else who has shown kindness & 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 also thanked everyone for their support in Paris and congratulated Lisa Stenson and Genevieve Gregson for completing the race.
The timing of Diver’s withdrawal was particularly galling as four-time Olympian Lisa Weightman — who unsuccessfully appealed her non-selection for Paris — won the Sunshine Coast half-marathon in a fast time just a few hours earlier.
Had Weightman’s appeal in May been successful, she would have replaced Stenson in the Olympic squad.
Stenson was Australia’s leading finisher in Paris, crossing the line in 13th spot. Gregson — who was 24th on Sunday — paid tribute to Diver’s resilience.
“I know that in the last few days she was not having the most ideal prep,” said Gregson.
“When we were all gathered in the callroom we had a big hug and just said ‘whatever you do out there today, we’re going to be so proud of you’.”
– With AAP