Michael Diamond: Gold medal peer Russell Mark says fears were ignored
FELLOW Olympian Russell Mark says he told Shooting Australia’s CEO of his concerns about the recent behaviour of Michael Diamond, pictured at his home yesterday.
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SHOOTING officials were warned weeks ago that Olympic star Michael Diamond was headed for trouble and may need help.
Fellow Olympian Russell Mark, who has fallen out badly with Diamond, said he told Shooting Australia chief executive Damien Marangon of his concerns about Diamond’s recent behaviour.
Diamond is facing charges of driving with a blood alcohol reading three times the legal limit and having a firearm in custody while having alcohol in his system.
“I spoke to them about it but I’m not sure they wanted to know about it,’’ Mark told The Daily Telegraph.
“They should have taken action and they must take their share of responsibility. “I actually feel sorry for Michael. Forget about Olympic medals. He needs help. I tried to help him.
“He had a go at me in some late-night posts on Facebook but they were actually a scream for help from a guy with problems.
“It was only a matter of time before something like this happened.
“When Michael is not drinking he is manageable. But when he is drinking things become very difficult. It’s a sad story.’’
Concerns over Diamond intensified when he failed to attend the second day of an Australia Cup meeting in Sydney in March.
Another shooter said it was “a very complex story”.
“He is quite a likeable person but shouldn’t drink,” he said.
Australian Olympic team boss Kitty Chiller said yesterday it was up to Shooting Australia to decide whether they still wanted to nominate Diamond for Rio.
However, the Australian Olympic Committee could overrule and decline selection.
“If a conviction is proven to have brought that athlete or their sport into disrepute, then yes it would (rule an athlete out),” Chiller said.
Diamond, as a two-time gold medallist, is the poster boy for the sport.
The Daily Telegraph revealed yesterday how Diamond had been caught up in a drama on Saturday, which started with an alleged altercation with his brother John at a house in Nelson Bay, north of Newcastle, about 9pm.
Police allege the brothers had “a domestic argument” and that officers later found Diamond standing next to his car at nearby Shoal Bay.
His case for the return of his firearms licence is hindered by the fact this is his second firearms charge, having had his firearms seized, and being banned from training or competing, when he had a protection order against him in 2003.
In a statement yesterday, Shooting Australia said it was trying to ascertain all information relating to the charges. “Shooting Australia is working closely with Michael to support him. We are also communicating with the Australian Olympic Committee and other stakeholders.”
In 1996, Diamond became the first Australian Olympic shooting gold medallist in the trap shooting since 1900.
In 2000, he made it back-to-back golds at the Sydney Games. But, in 2003 he lost his shooting licence and his guns were confiscated after he was charged with assault of his girlfriend at the time.
In April this year, he attacked former teammate Mark and aspiring teen Olympian Mitchell Iles on social media.
And in May he was charged with drink-driving, failing to keep a firearm safe and handling a firearm while under the influence of alcohol.
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