Brett Robinson personally called his friend Andy Buchanan to inform the marathon runner that he will replace him in Paris.
Australia’s fastest runner over 42.2km pulled out of the Olympics on Friday with a glute injury.
Buchanan, 33, now has two weeks to prepare for his Olympic debut alongside Pat Tiernan and Liam Adams on August 10.
Brett Robinson withdrew from the Olympics on Friday due to a glute injury
“When I saw Brett calling, I let it ring a couple of times because I was worried it was a pocket phone,” she said.
Getting the news directly from Brett shows what kind of person he is.
“We’re friends, but it was still an awkward situation. I was disappointed for him because he couldn’t compete, but at the same time I was happy to have a chance.”
Robinson broke Rob de Castella’s 36-year-old record at the Fukuoka International Marathon two years ago, clocking two hours, seven minutes and 31 seconds to shave 20 seconds off the mark.
“Brett has changed the Australian men’s marathon. He was the first to have the confidence to push the boundaries. Pat, Liam and I are simply following in his footsteps,” Buchanan said.
‘I don’t think it’s sunk in yet.
‘Normally you spend months preparing for a marathon and it’s quite a strange feeling to only have two weeks’ notice, but I’m excited by the opportunity and the challenge.’
Andy Buchanan to replace Robinson