SHOOTING Australia denies it could have done more to help Michael Diamond with his alcohol issues before his latest controversy.
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. Even if Diamond can retain his shooter's 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 yesterday it was wrong to say the peak body had watched on without intervening given Diamond's issues.
"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." Diamond's legal team is 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. But right now the AOC and Shooting Australia will continue to collect the facts and watch on as his court case proceeds."We are liaising closely with the AOC and Michael. The worst thing we can do is jump to conclusions," Marangon said.