Shooting Australia hits back at suggestions they didn’t offer Michael Diamond support

SHOOTING Australia has hit back at suggestions they didn’t do enough to help Michael Diamond after the Olympian was arrested on firearms and drink-driving offences.

Michael Diamond was offered support from Shooting Australia, says CEO Damien Marangon.

SHOOTING Australia says it could have done no more to help Michael Diamond with the alcohol issues that threaten his Olympics berth in Rio.

The dual gold medallist will face court on June 7 over firearms and drink-driving offences that could rob him of his chance at a seventh Olympic Games.

Diamond faces challenges on multiple fronts with the Court of Arbitration appeal by young shooter Mitch Iles against his selection now set for June 20.

Michael Diamond was offered support from Shooting Australia, says CEO Damien Marangon.

Even if Diamond can retain his shooters licence and be rubber-stamped for Rio he might have his spot taken away by Iles on appeal.

Diamond’s alcohol issues were well-known within shooting circles after a number of recent episodes and allegations he drank at recent shooting events.

But Shooting Australia chief executive Damien Marangon said it was wrong to say the peak body had watched on without intervening.

“The short answer is no. Shooting Australia works with Michael and all our athletes and from time to time those athletes need different levels of help and support,’’ he said.

“Our job is to embrace them and sometimes give them a stern talking to, but we have a really detailed level of support for all athletes.

“They are human beings, they go through tough times and make mistakes. Right now Michael needs some additional support and that’s what we are doing.”

Michael Diamond at his home in Fingal Bay. Picture: CH 7

Diamond’s legal team are assessing his firearms charges, with Diamond’s firearms licence now suspended.

He recorded a breath-test reading of 0.159 with police finding a shotgun and 150 rounds of ammunition in his car.

A conviction could trigger the Australian Olympic Committee’s disrepute clause and rule him out of the Rio Olympics.

“We are liaising closely with the AOC and Michael. The worst thing we can do is jump to conclusions,’’ Marangon said.

“We understand the AOC’s policies and position. We are working through a pretty complex issue with a pretty important outcome at the end of it. There are individuals lives and livelihoods at stake.”

Originally published as Shooting Australia hits back at suggestions they didn’t offer Michael Diamond support