Michael Diamond: Olympic shooting champion charged with firearms offences – and has gun licence suspended

Australian shooter was found driving over the limit with a firearm in his vehicle

Diamond is due to represent Australia at the Olympic Games this summer (INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images)

An Olympic shooting champion has been charged with firearms offences and had his gun licence suspended after he was allegedly found driving under the influence of alcohol with a shotgun in his vehicle.

Michael Constantine Diamond was allegedly involved in a dispute with a family member on Saturday evening, and was interviewed by police around 9:30pm.

He was arrested after refusing to take a breathalyser test.

On searching his vehicle, police found a shotgun with 150 rounds of ammunition.

Reports say Mr Diamond was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station, where a breathalyser test returned a reading of 0.159 – more than three times the legal limit.

A suspension notice was issued for both his firearms and driving license.

The two-time gold Olympic gold medallist was due to represent Australia at the upcoming Rio Olympics in men’s shooting. He appeared on 7 News on Monday morning, stating that his Olympic career was “absolutely not” over.

He refused to make any further statements relating to the charges, saying “you’ll have to talk to my lawyers”.

Mr Diamond is due to appear before Raymond Terrace Local Court on 7 June 2016, less than one month before the start of the Olympics.