Cyprus Olympic Committee to investigate shooters’ walkout from European final

Malakasa, Greece. The Cyprus Olympic Committee will investigate why three Cypriot shooters withdrew from a European Championship final following a contested refereeing ruling. The sports ethics watchdog has called for severe penalties over the incident.

Inquiry to review footage and testimony

The Olympic committee’s audit committee is due to convene on Thursday to consider the walkout, which occurred during the skeet team final against the Czech Republic.

Yiannis Ioannou, president of the Cyprus Olympic Committee, said letters requesting an account of the incident had been sent to SKOK, the shooting federation. Investigators would review video recordings and witness testimony before inviting the athletes to give evidence.

“Where responsibilities arise, they will be held accountable,” Ioannou said.

Disputed target ruling prompted withdrawal

Sotiris Antoniou, Giorgos Achilleios and Demetris Konstantinou made up the Cyprus team competing for the gold and silver medals.

The disagreement arose after a referee judged that Antoniou had failed to hit one of two targets. Cyprus requested a video review, but the referee’s ruling remained unchanged. The athletes and their coaches protested before leaving the competition area.

SKOK president Lenos Kyriakou said walking out had been the wrong response, although he said the athletes believed the ruling was unfair. He added that the federation was examining the conduct of all three shooters and the two coaches involved.