An Olympic shooting gold medallist has lost his chance to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics after a New South Wales tribunal upheld a decision to refuse his gun license application.

Michael Diamond, 51, had his Category A firearms license revoked in 2018 after he was found guilty of firearms and drink driving charges in Port Stephens in 2017.

Mr Diamond was acquitted of the three firearms charges on appeal later that year.

He challenged the license ban but the appeal was upheld in January last year.

In September, he sought an administrative review of a decision to refuse a new application for a gun license.

That decision has been upheld by the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal, meaning he will not be able to take part in the upcoming national Olympic qualifiers.

The 51-year-old has been a successful competitive sporting shooter since a young age and won two gold medals in the sport at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics.

‘Needed license’ for upcoming Olympic qualifiers

Diamond had told the tribunal he needed a firearms license before January 16, 2024 to “compete at the Australian National Titles, the first selection competition for the [Paris] Olympic Games.”

Diamond stated he could be trusted given the work he had put in to improve himself since the ban was imposed.

The judgment handed down on January 5 stated Diamond had undertaken therapy, a road intervention program and firearm safety training.

Fellow Olympian Russell Mark OAM gave a character reference and said he “could not speak more highly than Michael as a competitor”.

“He has only ever conducted himself with the utmost respect and dignity,” he said.

According to the judgement, Diamond said he had lost more than $1 million in sponsorship and related income due to losing his license.

The NSW Police Force argued the programs and mentoring undertaken by Diamond did not amount to “significant steps in demonstrating reformed behavior” due to the serious nature of his offending.

The tribunal ultimately found Diamond had not taken enough steps to improve his behavior and that granting a firearms license would not be in the public interest.

“Even if I were to accept genuine remorse and commitment to reformed behavior, the tribunal cannot ignore the applicant’s history,” the judgment stated.

“The weight of that history is such that it cannot be overcome by a recent period of mentoring, counseling and training.

Editor’s note January 9, 2024: The article has been updated to clarify that Mr Diamond’s firearms conviction was acquitted on appeal in 2017.