3 minute read

Michael Diamond had to regroup after the loss of his dad to win a second Olympic shooting gold.

The Sydney Olympics made Michael Diamond a household name but his famous shooting gold medal is still tinged with sadness.

Diamond's triumph in the men's trap was his second after Atlanta, where he and countryman Russell Mark both won gold medals.

A six-time Olympian, Diamond said winning gold in front of packed stands in Sydney was incredibly special, but it was also a heart-breaking moment.

The 48-year-old was introduced to shooting by his father Constantine, who became his biggest supporter.

But Constantine passed away just 12 weeks before the Sydney Olympics after a long health battle that saw him lose both his legs to golden staph.

"When I was in a shooting competition or practice I'd look behind and dad was always there," Diamond told AAP.

"After he passed away I had a big void to fill and I had to go out and do it all alone without any coaching ... there was nobody to look back on for a nod, to say 'You're doing well'.

"I heavily relied on that to keep me on track so I had to develop that instinct without him."

He drew inspiration from one of his heroes, touring cars superstar Peter Brock, who was an Australian team liaison member.

Diamond and Italian world record-holder Giovanni Pellielo were expected to tussle for the single trap gold medal.

The Australian held a two-target lead after day one, and won the event by five with Briton Ian Peel second and Pellielo taking bronze.

While many would assume a packed grandstand would give Diamond a boost, he felt suffocating pressure.

"It was unbelievable to see the turnout but it was huge added pressure because you were expected to do well, not just for yourself but for your country," he said.

"It was very pressurising but I had to suck it up and learn how to deal with it on the spot."

The cheer when he won has stayed with him down through the years.

"With four targets to go after I hit my target the grandstand nearly fell over with everyone getting up at the exact same time and cheering and chanting my name," he said.

"You really knew as a competitor that you'd done something special for the country."