Mayo's Sinead Diver hits out at online abuse amid Olympic exit
The Belmullet woman has reacted to the online abuse she has received.
A "devastated" Sinéad Diver has hit out at the criticism she has faced online after failing to finish the women's marathon at the Paris Olympics.
The 47-year-old Belmullet woman, who ran the best time in the Australian women's marathon qualifiers, had to withdraw after just over a kilometre following cramping in her quadriceps In a lengthy Instagram post following her withdrawal, Diver revealed she'd been dealing with a "plantar issue" in the lead-up to the race, but denied claims she wasn't fit enough to start.
"I'm absolutely devastated to have had to dnf at my second Olympic Games. I was dealing with a plantar issue in the lead in to this race. It was manageable and I was training, fit and ready to race. That had nothing to do with why I pulled out," she wrote.
"In the warm-up, my quads started to spasm without any warning. I hoped it would resolve as I started running but it didn't and they seized up within the first km to the point that I couldn't bend my knees.
I don't fully understand what's caused this.” She said online vitrol had taken a toll on her mental health.
"The lead in 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 has played a part in my body breaking down in this way. The culmination of stress over the last few weeks has finally taken its toll.
"I'm aware of some of the negative commentary during (and) since the race but this time I'm not going to listen. This is what happened. If you choose not to believe it, then so be it,” said the Mayo-native “Sinead Diver withdrew from the marathon after experiencing bilateral cramping in both quadriceps at Paris 2024,” a statement from Athletics Australia confirmed following the race.
“She is devastated and being supported by team officials and medical staff.” The organisation refuted suggestions Diver, who finished tenth in Tokyo three years ago, may have been suffering from an injury.
“Despite managing Plantar fasciitis at times this year, there was no physical reason for Sinead to not compete today,” they said.
