Olympic marathon runner who pulled out just 1.2km into race receives BRUTAL insult from top athletics coach following her Paris disaster

A top sports coach has criticised Sinead Diver and Athletics Australia after her disastrous performance in Paris.

Diver, 47, was forced to withdraw from the women’s marathon at the Olympics last week after just 1.2 kilometers. She later said that cramps in her quadriceps were the reason for her withdrawal.

It reignited a heated debate that had been brewing since before the Paris Olympics, when the sport was shocked by the loss of four-time Olympic athlete Lisa Weightman from the team.

Weightman was skipped and replaced by Jess Stenson, despite posting a faster qualifying time than her compatriot. Diver said she received online abuse as a result of the controversial decision.

Stenson finished 13th, Gregson 24th and Diver did not finish.

And now Dick Telford, who has been Weightman’s coach for 15 years, has taken on Athletics Australia over the decision, before launching a wild theory about his pupil’s omission.

“After 15 years as your coach, @LisaWeightman, I have to admit you picked the wrong man,” the 79-year-old posted on Twitter.

‘Better to have an @AthleticsAust employee coach/manager close to the selection/management action. Sinead and Gen (both Nic Bideau), Jess (Adam Didyk) and Andy replacing Brett (both Bideau) have chosen wisely.’

Sinead Diver had to withdraw from the Olympic marathon after just 1.2km

A distraught Diver broke her silence about her marathon achievement earlier this week, revealing that the ‘online vitriol’ had taken its toll.

“I am absolutely devastated that I had to cancel my second Olympic Games,” Diver wrote.

‘I had a plantar deformity leading up to this race. It was manageable and I trained, was fit and ready to race. That had nothing to do with why I pulled out.

‘During the warm-up, my quads started spasming without warning. I hoped it would go away once I started running, but it didn’t. They spasmed within the first kilometer to the point where I couldn’t bend my knees.

It sparked a huge controversy before the Games, with Lisa Weightman being ignored

‘The lead up 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 it has played a part in my body breaking down in the way it has. The build up of stress over the last few weeks has finally taken its toll.

“Thank you to everyone who has shown kindness, empathy, and sent messages of support to recognize that we are all human and sometimes things happen that are beyond our control, no matter how hard we try.”

Team-mate Stenson replied: ‘Your courage yesterday morning is something I will never forget, Sinead. I feel very lucky to have you as a role model and team-mate. We love you.’