A leading athletics coach has criticised Sinead Diver and Athletics Australia following her disastrous performance in Paris.
Diver, 47, was forced to withdraw from the women’s marathon at the Olympics last week just 1.2 kilometres into the race, later citing quadriceps cramps as the reason for her withdrawal.
This has reignited a heated debate that raged ahead of the Paris Games, when the sport was left in shock by the omission of four-time Olympian Lisa Weightman from the team.
Weightman was dropped in favour of Jess Stenson, despite producing a faster qualifying time compared to his compatriot, and Diver revealed he had been subjected to online abuse as a result of the controversial decision.
Stenson finished 13th while Gregson placed 24th and Diver did not finish.
And now Dick Telford, who has coached Weightman for 15 years, has taken aim at Athletics Australia for the decision, before airing a wild theory about his pupil’s omission.
“After 15 years as your trainer @LisaWeightman, I have to admit you picked the wrong guy,” the 79-year-old posted on Twitter.
‘It’s better to have a @AthleticsAust coach/manager close to the selection/management action. Sinead and Gen (both Nic Bideau), Jess (Adam Didyk) and Andy, who replaces Brett (both Bideau), chose wisely.’
Dick Telford has launched a brutal dig at Athletics Australia and Sinead Diver
Sinead Diver was forced to withdraw from the Olympic marathon after just 1.2km
A devastated Diver broke her silence on her marathon performance earlier this week, revealing that “online vitriol” had taken its toll on her.
“I am absolutely devastated to have had to withdraw from my second Olympic Games,” Diver wrote.
‘I had to deal with a problem with the sole of my foot during the preparation for this race. It was manageable and I was training, fit and ready to compete. That had nothing to do with the reason for my withdrawal.
‘During the warm-up, my quads started to spasm without warning. I was hoping they would resolve themselves when I started running, but they didn’t and they seized up within the first kilometer to the point where I couldn’t bend my knees.
A huge controversy was reignited before the games, with Lisa Weightman snubbed.
‘The lead up to this race has been one of the most difficult times of my life. Online criticism has had a significant impact on my mental health and I have no doubt that it has contributed to my body breaking down in this way. The build-up of stress over the past few weeks has finally taken its toll.
‘Thank you to everyone who has shown kindness and empathy and sent messages of support to acknowledge that we are all human and sometimes things happen that are beyond our control, no matter how hard we try.’
Her teammate Stenson replied: “Your bravery yesterday morning is something I will never forget Sinead. I feel so lucky to have you as a role model and teammate. We love you.”
