SHOOTING: Shooting Australia has advised Michael Diamond, and the Australian Olympic Committee, that he is ineligible for nomination to the AOC for selection to the 2016 Australian Olympic Team. 

The AOC today provided Michael Diamond and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Shooting Australia, Damien Marangon with an opportunity to present at its Executive meeting. 

Shooting Australia arrived at its position after considering the AOC’s nomination and selection standards.

“The incident involving Michael Diamond has, in our view, put our sport in a position which is inappropriate,” Mr Marangon said. 

"The AOC Executive supported Shooting Australia’s decision not to nominate Michael to the 2016 Australian Olympic Team and did not exercise its discretion to excuse the breaches.

“The Executive felt there was no basis on which to excuse the breaches,” AOC Chief Executive Officer Fiona de Jong said. 

Members of the Executive felt it was imperative that Michael, a 6-time Olympian and dual gold medallist, be afforded “natural justice” as would any other athlete. 

Shooting Australia has been in regular contact with Michael throughout this process and will continue to offer him support.

“This is an extremely difficult time for Michael and Shooting Australia will continue to be there for him as he needs,” Marangon said. 

The Shooting Australia Selection Committee will nominate its Men’s Trap athletes to the Australian Olympic Committee prior to the 4th of July deadline. 

Diamond has a further right to appeal his non-nomination and to be fair to all parties, no further comment will be made on the matter at this time.