Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SYDNEY (AP) — Two-time shooting gold medalist Michael Diamond is doubtful for his seventh Olympics after being charged with driving and firearms offenses on the weekend.
The 44-year-old Australian was charged by police with drink driving, not keeping a firearm safely and handling a firearm while under the influence of alcohol near Newcastle, north of Sydney, on Saturday night.
Australian Olympic team leader Kitty Chiller on Monday said Diamond could be ruled out of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in August if he is convicted.
Shooting Australia, which hasn't yet nominated a team because 16-year-old Mitchell Iles appealed against Diamond's proposed selection, issued a statement Monday saying it was aware of the allegations.
"We can confirm that Shooting Australia is working closely with Michael to support him to and to ensure his welfare is protected," Shooting Australia said. "We are also communicating regularly with the Australian Olympic Committee."
Chiller said the AOC was leaving the decision on the team nomination to Shooting Australia.
"Any of the athletes ... nominated by their national federation must be in good standing with that federation, and must not have brought themselves or their sport or the Olympic movement into disrepute," Chiller said. "They need to make that decision before nominating their team to us."
Diamond, who has declined to comment on the matter, will face court next month.
He made his Olympic debut at Barcelona in 1992 and won the men's trap gold medal at the 1996 Olympics and at Sydney in 2000.
.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
