Olympic judges made a ‘big mistake’, claims furious Team GB coach – as fans insist Amber Rutter was ROBBED of a skeet shooting gold medal following a controversial call

Amber Rutter’s coach has claimed that Olympic judges made a ‘big mistake’ after the Brit was controversially denied gold in the skeet shooting. 

After trailing Francisca Crovetto Chadid during the closing stages, the 26-year-old produced a composed performance to tie the Chilean and force a shoot-out for gold at the National Shooting Centre.

In her final attempt, Rutter looked to have hit both targets but only one was scored and she promptly appealed for a review.

The decision was then upheld despite TV replays appearing to show that she had made contact with both shots. VAR technology has previously been employed in other skeet competitions in the event of a contentious decision but the technology is not in place for the 2024 games and Rutter was forced to watch on as her chance at gold hung in the balance.

Her coach Richard Brickell said that Rutter’s attempt was ‘clearly a hit’ as he bemoaned the costly error by the judges. 

In her final attempt, Rutter looked to have hit both targets but only one was scored

Rutter sensationally became the first Briton to win a skeet medal at the Olympic Games

‘All the coaches knew it was a hit, everyone in the stadium knew it was a hit and everyone at home knew it.’ He said. ‘Unfortunately, the only people that didn’t were the judges. It’s a big mistake for a very important medal.’

Chadid ultimately held her nerve, hitting both targets to triumph 7-6 in the shootout, securing Chile’s first ever shooting medal at the games in the process.

The decision not to score both of Rutter’s hits in the final stage of the shoot-out proved hugely controversial on social media, with fans claiming she had been ‘robbed’ of the gold medal.

Rutter became the first Briton to win a skeet medal at the Olympics just three months after giving birth to her first child. After taking sixth in her debut at the Olympics in 2016, Rutter missed out on Tokyo three years ago after testing positive for Covid. 

‘I truly believe that it did hit, but this is sport for you.’ Rutter told talkSPORT. ‘It’s all swings and roundabouts and yeah it’s just one of those things you have to live with.

The 26-year-old rapidly retuned to action, just three months after giving both to her baby

‘I do truly believe I hit that last target but to come away with a silver medal is something I’m so proud of and I didn’t think would be possible.

‘So the fact I’m sat here with a silver medal, I’m just so proud of my result and how far I’ve come.’