Olympic Games: Mystery reason behind Aussie star withdrawal from marathon after just 1.2KM revealed

Australian veteran Sinead Diver was forced to withdraw from the marathon in Paris after succumbing to severe cramps, it has been revealed. 

The 47-year-old  Australian record holder had high hopes coming into Paris, having finished a gutsy 10th on her Games debut three years ago in Tokyo.

But her race unravelled after just 1.2 kilometres, and she was seen leaning over a roadside barrier in unusual scenes.

Now, Australian high performance boss Andrew Faichney has shed light on what caused the race’s oldest competitor to pull out.  

‘I am comfortable with the decision to race, she was in the team camp medical and she and the medical team cleared her to run,’ said Faichney.

‘Today was completely unrelated to the plantar fasciitis in her right foot.

‘She cramped in both quads and it started before the race.

‘So obviously for her to have to finish so soon it was extreme (cramping).’

The Aussie veteran was foced to pull out after just 1.2 kilometres of the race

The timing 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 Jess Stenson in the Olympic squad.

Stenson was Australia’s leading finisher in Paris, crossing the line in 13th spot.

Genevieve 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’.’

Australian men’s marathon record holder Brett Robinson withdrew from the Paris Games with a glute injury just a matter of days before he was due to race.

Despite his disappointment, Robinson personally called Andrew Buchanan to tell him to pack his bags for Paris as his replacement.