Australian sprinter Josh Azzopardi declared he feels “absolutely robbed” after being snubbed from the individual 100 metres event for the upcoming Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Australia’s track and field team was announced on Monday morning, with powerhouse sprinters Lachlan Kennedy, Kiwi-turned Australian Eddie Nketia and Rohan Browning selected for the 100-metre event.
Azzopardi finished behind Kennedy and ahead of Browning in the 100m at the national championships in April, however the 26-year-old was only selected for the 4x100m relay event.
“I feel absolutely robbed to have not been given a 100m selection,” Azzopardi wrote on Instagram on Monday.
“The reasonings I still don’t completely understand after a consistent and what I would say a successful domestic season… Disappointed with how the outcome has been reached.”
Azzopardi maintained it was still an honour to wear the green and gold and thanked the athletics community for its support.
“I appreciate your support always and from the vibe of the messages and calls I think everyone knows what the decision should’ve been…,” he posted.
“It’s hard to reconcile that people who sit in a room and determine these selections can control your future when they don’t know what it’s taken to get to the present moment.”
Azzopardi said on Instagram that he appealed the decision to the National Sports Tribunal but was unsuccessful.
“To everyone who was involved with my appeal process, can’t thank you enough as it was a crazy time with added stresses,” he posted.
Australian Athletics chairman of selectors Peter Hamilton spoke about selection process for the men’s 100m event on The Call Room podcast with former sprinter Jason Richardson.
Hamilton was asked why Browning was picked over Azzopardi.
“There are three in the 100m, and those were the last ones we looked at,” Hamilton said, in a podcast clip posted to Instagram.
“How do we pick each one? We discuss each one on their merits, what their performances have been historically, how far apart they were.
“Azzopardi finished in front of Browning at nationals, but we’re talking 0.03 of a second, so the differences aren’t huge.
“At the end, it’s a gut call from the team.”
Azzopardi reposted the podcast clip on his Instagram story with the caption, “Explanation,” followed by a laughing emoji.
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Hannah Kennelly is an award-winning sports reporter and Formula 1 writer at The Age.Connect via email.
