Olympic shooting medallists Michael Diamond and Adam Vella could be in danger of missing the Rio Games, with 16-year-old Mitchell Iles challenging the selection.
Diamond and Vella were due to be announced by the Australian Olympic Committee on Friday as Australia’s two representatives in the men’s trap event.
But rising star Mitchell Iles has lodged an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after having missed out on selection.
It means the AOC and Shooting Australia will only name a 16-person team – minus two-time Olympic gold medallist Diamond and Games bronze medallist Vella – until the case is decided.
“We will wait for the outcome before we make any selections,” AOC spokesman Mike Tancred told AAP.
“The AOC has always adopted the approach that every athlete has the right to appeal if they are aggrieved with the selection in their sport.
“It is clear that Mitchell Iles has a great future and we look forward to him staying in the sport.”
If Diamond were to miss out it would a major story as he is on the verge of competing at his seventh Olympics, aiming to join Dawn Fraser as the only Australians to win three Games gold medals in the same event.
It’s understood Iles is not happy the veteran shooters were picked ahead of him despite meeting the national federation’s benchmark score of 121 from 125 targets.
Iles shot that score or better three times between February 2015 and February 2016, as did Vella, while Diamond only did it twice.
However, one of Iles’ scores was achieved at a South Australian state championship and another at a Junior Cup. Both of Diamond’s were shot at top-tier World Cup events.
It’s believed Iles appealed the decision internally but it was rejected, so he is taking it to CAS.
If the appeal is upheld, it’ll be up to CAS to decide who is the affected party and, effectively, determine who will go to Rio.
Australia can only send two athletes to contest the men’s trap.
He has also expressed hope of being the Australian flagbearer at the Games opening ceremony.
NT Hunter
Guest
Greg, What team success. The Olympics Trap has no 'team', it is an individual sport, with medals given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd, with no team medals. So why should supporters of Illes think any different? And criticizing people supporting anyone is downright pathetic. Is that not what being an Aussie(or in fact human) is all about, supporting..... However, the initial selection of shooters was right, in my opinion. :)
David Jiminez
Guest
Greg Laurie you could not be any more right but if you had 2 right hands and feet. This is simply a "what about me" selfish act, and hopefully is sorted quickly. Even overlooking that Diamond has shown he has 2 very little peanuts in his pants after recent facebook posts. There is now doubt the future is bright for Isles-Crevatin, but he has bombed when it come to the 2 Selection Events. Vella and Diamond did not. Bylsma and Wallace also should be in front of Isles if anyone has a chance of displacing Vella or Diamond, as they shot better at the Selection Events. His mother(reported elsewhere) has made false claims as the basis for this appeal. Claiming Diamond never shot the BMS, stating July last year as the date from which BMS scores begin to count, Claiming discrimination(on what grounds...), claiming SA did not 'discover him'(please tell me when SA has looked under a rock and 'discovered' anybody), and indicating he may give up the sport if not selected.............It is not Mitchell, it is the people behind him that are the problem. Whilst he, and every shooter has the right to appeal, Isles has no case, and look forward to Vella and tiny peanuts Diamond on their way to Rio. And another thing, his name is Isles-Crevatin, not Isles.
Craig Swanson
Guest
I should have read the article.The teenager also shot the qualifying targets but was not selected because they were not in world cup events..that is how I read it. Like I say change the rules to allow all three to represent their country if they have earned the honor.
Craig Swanson
Guest
This type of incidence seems to happen prior to every Olympics. Diamond and Vella have an enviable record shooting for Australia at the Oympics. Would be qreat shame to lose either of them, in particular after the retirement of Russel Mark. Would also be good to see the next gen on the plane to Rio. This archaic rule of only two reps from each country being selected needs to chance imho. Same as in athletics and swimming when three go sub qualifying time but one misses out. What exactly is the Mitchell Isles beef over his non selection anyway?
Greg Laurie
Guest
This is Gen Y "I want it now" type attitude at its worst. The reason Diamond & Vella were chosen is that that they have both won at top rated and international events, especially Vella who is shooting at his best ever. Those giving Mitchell Illes support need to think about the team success and not that of junior, who will get his turn in due course.