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Athletes can appeal their non-nomination within a 48-hour window. Weightman’s appeal failed.
Weightman can appeal once more, to the Court of Arbitration of Sport, but Joske confirmed that she is unlikely to do so due to the associated costs.
A senior athletics source with detailed knowledge of the selection process, who declined to be named as the matter is ongoing, said the selection panel had considered other factors beyond times run in their decision, including improvement over time.
They pointed to Stenson’s gold medal victory at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, and hitting her personal best in South Korea’s Daegu marathon – a notoriously hilly course – just six months after she had a baby as factors for her selection ahead of Weightman.
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An Australian Olympic Committee spokesperson said the nomination process was a matter for Athletics Australia.
“While yet to select the marathon athletes to compete in Paris, the AOC is satisfied that Athletics Australia has correctly followed its Paris 2024 nomination criteria as well as the AOC’s Olympic team selection by-law.
“The AOC Olympic team selection by-law sets out the avenues for athletes to appeal against their non-nomination.”
The drama hit social media on Tuesday, with Weightman’s husband, Lachlan McArthur, demanding that Stenson remove her cover photo on X which pictured two runners together with their kids.
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He publicly messaged Stenson on social media platform X, writing: “@JessTrengove could you please take down your background photo of my family. BTW, this was after one of the 7-1 all-time head to head wins by @LisaWeightman.”
Stenson changed the photo shortly after McArthur’s post. McArthur deleted his X account soon after responding with this message: “Thank you @JessTrengove for taking down the photo. It is much appreciated. We have a heartbroken family here”.
Weightman has seemingly responded to the stoush on her Instagram profile, posting an image under a highlight titled “OLY 2024” which read: “Surround yourself with people who fight for you in the room you aren’t in.”
Stenson and Athletics Australia declined to comment.
