Australia's Sinéad Diver - whose father is from Bunbeg - suffers Olympic heartache

Sinéad Diver suffered Olympic heartache as she was forced to withdraw from the women’s marathon after just 1.2km in Paris through injury, which could spark a row in her adopted Australia.

Diver stepped off the Paris course less than five minutes in and was quickly collected by medical staff, who put her through an assessment and helped return her to the start line.

"Lisa Weightman could have been selected, having been one of six women qualified to run in Paris, but Athletics Australia selectors chose Diver, Genevieve Gregson and Jessica Stenson," Australian media outlet nine.com reported. "Weightman unsuccessfully appealed her non-selection."

"We are seeking advice on Sinead's condition after her early withdrawal from the women's marathon and will provide an update as soon as possible," an Australian Olympic Committee spokesperson said.

Sinead Diver, from Belmullet, Co. Mayo, representing Australia, with her father Eddie following her 21st place finish in the Women's Marathon event at the IAAF World Athletics Championships Beijing 2015

The 47-year-old Diver is the daughter of retired civil servant Eddie, who is originally from Coshclady, Bunbeg, and her mother, Bríd (née Dunleavy) hails from Belmullet, Co Mayo, where Sinead herself was brought up.

Diver is a member of Glenhuntley AC in Melbourne where she is coached by Nic Bideau, and is also a current Mayo AC member and has been registered with the club since 2014.

A graduate of Physical Education and Irish from the University of Limerick, Diver and her then boyfriend Colin, who is from Limerick, left for Australia as so many do – for a year – back in 2002. She took up marathon running in 2015.

Diver finished in 10th place at the last Olympics in Tokyo in 2021. Having only taken up marathon running in 2015, Diver was 21st in the Olympic marathon in Rio in 2016.

The Netherlands’ Sifan Hassan took gold in Paris, breaking the Olympic record with a time of 2:22:55 to finish ahead of Ethiopia’s Tigst Assefa and Hellen Obiri from Kenya.