Australian athletes have been chosen to represent their country in the Olympic marathon event at the Paris 2024 Games. The selected runners include Sinead Diver, Genevieve Gregson, Jessica Stenson, Brett Robinson, and Patrick Tiernan. This announcement was made by the Australian Olympic Committee in Melbourne.

Gregson is set to make history as only the sixth Australian woman to compete in Athletics at four Olympic Games. On the other hand, Tiernan, Stenson, and Robinson are returning for their third Olympics. Diver, the Australian record holder, will be participating in her second Games after achieving the best Olympic finish by an Australian woman in over three decades during Tokyo 2020.

Both Gregson and Tiernan will be making their Olympic marathon debuts after transitioning from track events. Gregson’s selection is particularly remarkable considering her comeback from a severe injury suffered during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Stenson, a mother, achieved her Paris 2024 qualifying time just six months after giving birth.

The Paris marathon course will showcase iconic landmarks such as the Palace of Versailles, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower. Following the route of the Women’s March on Versailles in 1789, the marathon pays homage to a significant moment in French history and the French Revolution.

In a first for the Olympics, the men’s marathon will be held on the second last day of competition, while the women’s event will close the athletics competition for Paris 2024. Additionally, the marathon course will be open to the public for a community race the evening before the women’s event.

The Australian Olympic Team’s Chef de Mission, Anna Meares, praised the selected athletes for their resilience and determination. She highlighted the challenging selection process due to the exceptional depth in Australian distance running.

Diver, who set a new national record in January 2023, expressed her excitement at representing Australia again, especially with her family present to support her. Tiernan, preparing for his third Olympics, emphasized the lessons learned from his previous experiences and his confidence in the marathon event. Gregson’s journey from injury to the Paris Olympic marathon exemplifies resilience and determination.

Peter Bromley, CEO of Athletics Australia, commended the marathon athletes for their dedication and spirit, noting that Australian athletics is currently experiencing a golden era with exceptional talent across various distance disciplines.

The marathon events at the Paris 2024 Olympics are scheduled for August 10 (men) and August 11 (women), starting from the Hôtel de Ville and finishing at Invalides. The Australian athletes selected for the marathon category are poised to showcase their skills and inspire audiences with their performances on the historic streets of Paris.