Aussie Olympics star reveals bizarre reason why she was stripped of lucky item by strict Paris officials before her event

These boots were made for shooting – except at the Olympics.

Australian trap bronze medallist Penny Smith had an unusual problem two days before her competition started at Chateauroux, south of Paris.

The 29-year-old from Bookaar in Victoria’s Western District has always competed in boots and it’s become almost her trademark.

But as she was talking to her brother on the phone, a competition judge approached Smith to say she could not wear the boots at the Games.

While team staff dealt with the eyebrow-raising decision, Smith had several trips to find a suitable alternative.

She settled on a pair of hi tops, with the white laces replaced by lime-green numbers to match Smith’s team uniform.

‘It’s their decision and I can’t change (it) … we went down the street, we bought a pair of (sneakers),’ she said the day after winning the medal.

‘There were obviously a lot of people saying ‘oh, you’re not wearing your boots, what’s the go?’

Australian star Smith took home the bronze medal in the final on Wednesday

‘But I just had to adapt the best I possibly can. I’m really thankful … but I still love my boots, they will come out again.

‘It’s never been an issue before, through our World Cups. Obviously there’s a dress code and a protocol they have to follow. Initially it was a bit of a shock, but I knew we had to regroup really quick.’

As Smith told journalists on Wednesday about her beloved Timberland boots and the emergency Nike replacements, Australian team staff squirmed in the background.

The Australian Olympic team is sponsored by Asics.

Smith also explained her competition footwear is much more than just a habit, given the tight margins involved.

‘It does matter … it’s your grounding, it helps you shoot. That’s my identity – Penny Smith, who wears the boots,’ she said.

But she was told she could not wear her favourite boots, so wore trainers instead

Footwear wasn’t the only issue, with high temperatures over the two days of competition and the ‘commotion’ of a septic tank being emptied at a crucial point in Smith’s competition.

She prevailed to improve dramatically on her sixth place in the same event at the Tokyo Games.

Cycling gold medallist Grace Brown comes from the same area, but Smith was clear – she comes from Bookaar, population 159, not from nearby Camperdown.

‘It’s absolutely phenomenal, the support back home has been wonderful. The town will be absolutely buzzing,’ Smith said.