Australian running champions Jess Stenson and Lisa Weightman have buried the hatchet of a controversial Olympic selection decision in a poignant and emotional embrace, which also included Leanne Pompeani, on the finish line of the Sydney Marathon.
Stenson very nearly collapsed as she staggered over the line just one place behind Pompeani, who was the first Aussie woman to finish, and one position ahead of Weightman, who came in ninth, for what was Sydney’s inaugural year as a World Marathon Major.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Emotional scenes as Aussie women bury the hatchet.
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“She’s trying to put a smile on her face, she’s really struggled the last half of the race,” Bruce McAvaney said of Stenson as she crossed the finish line.
“She has really, really, really hit the wall, in more ways than one.
“She is in a bit of strife. She’ll walk that out, she’s as tough as nails, we know that.”
Worried that she may not stay upright, Tamsyn Manou could be heard saying: “Oh no.”
Pompeani and Stenson then shared a long hug before Weightman joined the duo seconds later and kissed them both on the cheek in what McAvaney described as “unforgettable scenes”.
Last year, 46-year-old Weightman was controversially denied selection into what would have been her fifth Olympic Games, despite recording a faster qualifying time than Stenson, who was favoured for the final position in the Aussie women’s team for the marathon in Paris.
Selectors picked Stenson alongside Sinead Diver and Gen Gregson on the back of her proven record at major championship races, as well as her strength on hilly courses.
In what became a drawn-out and somewhat messy process, Weightman appealed the decision, but ultimately could not overturn it, and was left off the team.
Speaking to Channel 7 after the race, Stenson said she and Weightman had nothing but love for each other.
“Credit to Lisa; she said to me on the start line, ‘Everything, we’re putting it behind us, today we go and soak up this moment’, and we both did,” she said.
“(A) few tears were shed at the finish for sure. It was a beautiful moment with all three of us.”
During the embrace, McAvaney said: “Those in the Australian athletics community know how important that was, because there were some difficult times because of selection.
“And the fact that these two great champions (are) here together today, that makes all of us feel oh so good.
“I feel like crying, to be honest.”
Manou added: “That makes me emotional because these two athletes are just wonderful, wonderful human beings, and a great effort by both of them.
“Poor Jess, she’s in agony, isn’t she?”
Stenson finished in a time of 2:28:56, more than four minutes behind Pompeani, who claims the Australian championship in just her second marathon, having made her debut earlier this year at Nagoya in Japan.
“I’ll start by saying I’m so proud of Leanne,” Stenson began her Channel 7 interview with.
“She’s a phenomenal athlete but an even better person, and she deserves every bit of success she gets.
“And Lisa as well, I mean, what a day for Australian running.
“I’ve never felt like that in a marathon before, and so, I can really say I’m so proud of that because there were times where I just didn’t think my legs would get me to the finish line.
“When I got a glimpse of the Opera House and I had a few kms to go, I was like, whatever it takes I’m getting there today.
“(I) walked a little bit and the crowds just were like, ‘You’ve got this’, and they carried me to the finish.”
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